DelBene Statement on FCC Chairman's Proposal to Increase Funding for Internet Access in Schools and Libraries

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene released the following statement on today's draft order from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler to permanently increase the funding cap of the federal E-rate program, which has provided vital assistance to schools and libraries with the cost of telecommunications and Internet services since 1997:

"Today's announcement brings us one step closer to the goal of connecting every school and library to high-speed broadband over the next five years. While it is critical that this proposal be carefully reviewed, I am pleased to see the Chairman's commitment to meeting the program's long-term funding needs and bringing classrooms across the country into the 21st century.

"Providing a world-class education to every child in the U.S. demands that our schools and libraries have the Internet connectivity to support next-generation learning technologies. That's why I have long supported efforts to improve and modernize the federal E-rate program, which will be key to improving student outcomes, closing the achievement gap, and preparing kids to compete for the jobs of the future."

Last December, DelBene joined 25 other members of Congress in sending a bipartisan letter to the FCC urging action to improve and modernize the federal E-rate program. Subsequently, in June, DelBene led 38 members of the New Democrat Coalition and six House Republicans in sending a second letter to the FCC supporting the recommended update to the E-rate program.

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