Democrats' Bill Would 'Build On' ECF

Senate Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee Chairman Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.; Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass.; and Rep. Grace Meng, D-N.Y., filed the Securing Universal Communications Connectivity to Ensure Students Succeed (Success) Act Thursday to “build on” the COVID-19 $7.17 billion emergency connectivity fund. The new measure would provide $40 billion total for FY 2022-26 for schools and libraries to continue providing hot spots, modems, routers and internet-enabled devices post-pandemic. “Even after the coronavirus pandemic finally ends, we cannot ignore a key 21st century educational requirement -- internet access,” said lead Senate sponsor Markey. Fifteen senators and 25 House members are co-sponsors. The measure “provides important multi-year funding for schools and libraries to extend the reach of broadband to their communities” after the pandemic, said Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition Executive Director John Windhausen. The bill’s sponsors also cited backing from acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.