E-Rate Author Senator Markey Criticizes New FCC Rule Adding New Obstacles to the Program

Washington (April 30, 2026) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a new rule that makes it harder for schools and libraries to access funds from the E-Rate program, which helps schools and libraries connect to the internet. Senator Markey is the House author of the original E-Rate program, which has invested over $68 billion to connect schools and libraries to the internet across the country. Massachusetts schools and libraries have received more than $944 million from the E-Rate program and another $97 million from the Emergency Connectivity Fund, a $7 billion program that Senator Markey created within the American Rescue Plan to provide devices and connectivity for students and educators at home. “The FCC’s new rule will make it harder for schools and libraries, especially in rural and under-resourced communities, to access the E-Rate program,” said Senator Markey. “This action is part of a troubling pattern from the FCC and Republicans that makes it harder for kids to get online and communities to close the digital divide. We should be strengthening E-Rate, simplifying access, and closing the homework gap, not putting up new barriers. I will be monitoring the implementation of this rule closely to ensure it does not adversely affect students and educators that rely on the E-Rate program.” The FCC’s new rule creates a competitive bidding portal for schools, libraries, and service providers participating in the E-Rate program, adding new bureaucratic obstacles to E-Rate. The FCC issued the rule, even though last December, the Government Accountability Office found that E-Rate was the only program among five reviewed programs to meet nine recommendations and best practices to address waste and fraud. Schools and libraries also opposed the new rule . In September 2025, the FCC repealed its rule allowing schools and libraries to use their E-Rate funds to loan Wi-Fi hotspots to students and educators, setting back years of success in ensuring students and educators have access to the internet at home. ###