DelBene Statement on FCC Chairman’s Proposal to Improve Internet Access and Wi-Fi in Schools and Libraries

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene released the following statement reacting to today’s draft order from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler to update the federal E-rate program, which has provided critical discounts for schools and libraries for telecommunications and Internet services since its enactment in 1997:

“Ensuring that every child in the U.S. has access to a world-class education requires that our schools and libraries have access to high-speed broadband and Wi-Fi. Modernizing the federal E-rate program is a critical step toward achieving this goal.

“I expect that over the coming weeks, the FCC will receive a broad range of comments, concerns and suggestions on today’s draft order, and I hope the Chairman listens thoughtfully to the reaction it receives. However, I am pleased to see the FCC continuing to work toward ensuring our teachers and students have access to the next-generation learning technologies that will help prepare our kids to compete a 21st century economy.”

Last December, DelBene joined 25 other members of Congress in sending a letter to the FCC urging action to improve and modernize the federal E-rate program.