Senate Bill to Help Americans Keep Broadband Access During the Pandemic

Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and 26 Senate Democrats introduced the Emergency Broadband Connections Act to ensure that millions of Americans can access essential broadband connections in the middle of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The legislation would provide a $50/month benefit to workers who have been laid off or furloughed during the pandemic, along with a range of other assistance to ensure families can access critical online services. Broadband connections are essential for Americans seeking new jobs and for accessing school, health care, and other government services. The bill would fill an essential need as the Federal Communications Commission’s voluntary Keep Americans Connected pledge from internet service providers to help consumers continue to access internet service during the pandemic, ends June 30. The legislation parallels provisions of the House HEROES Act, and the Emergency Broadband Connections Act by Rep Marc Veasey (D-TX). 

Co-sponsors: Sens  Ron Wyden (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY), Edward Markey (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Patty Murray (D-WA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ben Cardin (D- MD), Tom Udall (D-NM), Jack Reed (D-RI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).