US Senate
Sen Van Hollen Introduces Legislation to Address the Homework Gap
Sen Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced the introduction of the Homework Gap Trust Fund Act, legislation to eliminate the homework gap and ensure children have access to the internet at home. According to the Senate Joint Economic Committee, as many as 12 million students do not have access to the internet at home. Data also suggests that while 70 percent of teachers assign homework that requires internet access, almost 20 percent of students don’t have home internet access to complete it.
Sen Thune: Building a 5G Workforce is Critical to Nationwide Deployment (US Senate)
Submitted by benton on Thu, 02/27/2020 - 14:26Senators Push USDA to Expand Rural Broadband Access
Sen Ron Wyden (D-OR) led a bipartisan group of senators to urge the Trump administration to expand access to rural broadband by changing a requirement that prevents providers in rural communities across 19 states from even applying to the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ReConnect program, which funds rural broadband deployment. Since 2018, USDA has been authorized to make grants and loans of about $600 million per year to foster rural broadband through its ReConnect program.
Senators Markey, Blunt, and Sasse Encourage NIH to Study Impact of Technology on Children (US Senate)
Submitted by benton on Tue, 02/25/2020 - 15:41Senator Bennet Responds to Facebook Calling for More Responsibility for its Damage to Democratic Values Around the World (US Senate)
Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Mon, 02/24/2020 - 10:55Bridging the Tribal Digital Divide Act of 2020
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Vice Chairman Tom Udall (D-NM), along with Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Bridging the Tribal Digital Divide Act of 2020 to accelerate the deployment of broadband services to Native communities and bridge the digital divide facing Native communities. The bill would expedite the deployment of affordable broadband service on Tribal lands by coordinating and improving the effectiveness of federal resources.
Sen Rick Scott (R-FL) Introduces Legislation to Crack Down on US Companies Selling to Huawei (US Senate)
Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Fri, 02/14/2020 - 13:31Sen Manchin Announces Webpage to Submit Speed Test Results, Learn More About Efforts to Improve Internet Connectivity in West Virginia
Sen Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced a new webpage where constituents can complete and submit an internet speed test to the Federal Communications Commission, and learn more about the fight to bring reliable broadband to rural communities across West Virginia. The webpage can be accessed from a computer or mobile device at manchin.senate.gov/speedtest. If you are experiencing internet speeds below the FCC’s definition of broadband, which is 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, Senator Manchin wants to hear from you.
Senator Hawley Questions FCC on Broadband Access in Rural Missouri
Sen Josh Hawley (R-MO) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai questioning Wisper ISP, Inc.’s progress in expanding access to rural broadband internet in Missouri. In 2018, the FCC awarded Wisper ISP, Inc. $176 million to connect more than 60,000 locations in Missouri with broadband service, but little is known about the current state of the project. "The latest data from the FCC shows 45% of residents in rural parts of my state do not have access to a wired broadband service. Missouri ranked 41st in the country for its limited connectivity.