Budget Reconciliation Includes $7.6B in E-Rate Remote Support

摘要

Budget reconciliation provisions that the House Energy and Commerce Committee scheduled to consider at a full committee markup at 11 a.m. on Feb. 11 - after TR's news deadline - include the establishment of a $7.6 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund to support the provision of connected devices, Internet service, and hotspots by schools and libraries to students, teachers, and library patrons for home and other remote use. The measure would give the FCC 60 days to promulgate rules under its statutory E-rate authority to distribute the Emergency Connectivity Fund support, according to the legislative text and section-by-section summary released by the committee the evening of Feb. 9.