ECF Supporters Want $40B for Successor Program in Reconciliation Package
Education and Libraries Networks Coalition members believe it’s “imperative” that Congress include the Securing Universal Communications Connectivity to Ensure Students Succeed (Success) Act (HR-4663/S-2447) in a coming budget reconciliation package that Democrats aim to pass with only their caucus’ support.…
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HR-4663/S-2447 would provide $40 billion total for a successor to the current COVID-19 $7.17 billion emergency connectivity fund for FY 2022-26 to continue providing hot spots, modems, routers and internet-enabled devices post-pandemic (see 2107220049). The FCC’s Wednesday announcement that it received more than $5.1 billion in funding requests during ECF’s first application window is “compelling evidence that more support is needed,” EdLiNC said. “We fully expect that the remaining $2 billion in ECF support will be spoken for during the forthcoming” Sept. 28-Oct.13 second application window. Enacting HR-4663/S-2447 via the reconciliation package will “replenish ECF funding and ensure that America’s students, educators, and library patrons are not disconnected when” the existing ECF money “runs dry,” the group said.