On June 24, 2020, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioners Carr, O’Reilly, Rosenworcel, and Starks testified at a Senate Commerce Committee oversight hearing. In testimonies regarding broadband deployment, Commissioner Starks noted that “in times of emergency, no American should go without a connection because of cost,” and Chairman Pai that “digital opportunity delayed is digital opportunity denied.”
During her testimony, Commissioner Rosenworcel stated:
“We can solve the Homework Gap. Even better, we have a sound basis to do so through the E-Rate program. In fact, the agency has even done this in the past on a trial basis! That means the FCC could use E-Rate right now to provide every school library with Wi-Fi hotspots and other connectivity devices to loan out to students who lack reliable internet access at home. We should get started immediately.”
Transcripts and a webcast of the hearing may be found at https://www.commerce.senate.gov/2020/6/oversight-of-the-federal-communications-commission.
