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Two Republican lawmakers, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington state, have sent a letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel opposing a proposal to expand the E-rate program. The proposal aims to allow E-rate funding to cover Wi-Fi on school buses and mobile hotspots that can be loaned out to students.

The lawmakers argue that the proposal exceeds the FCC’s authority and would lead to wasteful spending. They believe that the E-rate program should only be used for classroom and library purposes, not off-campus use. They also argue that other federal programs, such as the Affordable Connectivity Program, are already addressing the same issues.

Rosenworcel, however, defends the proposal, stating that the FCC has the legal authority to modernize the E-rate program to meet the changing technological needs of education. She assures that steps will be taken to prevent duplicative funding for Wi-Fi hotspots and services across other funding programs.

Education groups, such as the Consortium for School Networking, support the proposal, emphasizing the need for flexibility to provide Wi-Fi hotspots and Wi-Fi on school buses, especially in rural and high-poverty areas. Many districts have already implemented similar initiatives during the pandemic to increase students’ broadband access outside of school.

The next step is for the FCC to vote on each component of Rosenworcel’s proposal. While opposition from top Republicans in Congress may complicate the process, there is hope that the grant program to protect against cyberattacks, included in the proposal, will receive support.

Overall, there is recognition of the need to address the digital divide and provide students with reliable internet access, both at home and on the go. Funding and support for these initiatives will be crucial in ensuring equitable educational opportunities for all students.

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