Virtual School Leaves Kids Behind, Sparking New Broadband Push

The Covid-19 crisis, by laying bare the so-called “digital divide” at school systems and communities across the country, may achieve what years of lobbying by interest groups has failed to deliver: significant new federal funding to narrow the gap. A growing number of politicians of both parties in Washington are coming to agree. House Democrats proposed investing more than $80 billion to spread broadband, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said she wants “a piece” of that funding in the next large coronavirus relief bill. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) called broadband funding “an appropriate discussion for us to have” as lawmakers debate the bill’s dimensions. In the Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has signaled reluctance to spend more in emergency packages -- yet other Republicans there acknowledge that broadband should be spread more widely. “The coronavirus pandemic has further underscored the pressing need for increased access to broadband for all Americans,” said Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), chairman of the Commerce Committee that oversees internet policy. “I believe this bipartisan priority will be considered by Congress.”