WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to invest an additional $1.5 billion into E-Rate, the next-generation high-speed Internet program he co-authored for students across West Virginia and the country. Rockefeller has, in recent years, encouraged the FCC to strengthen and expand the program to keep up with the evolving technology demands of today’s classrooms and libraries. With the FCC’s action today, it expanded E-Rate by approving a proposal to raise the program’s permanent funding cap and to modernize the program.

“Today’s action by the FCC is a tremendous win for the future of our youngest generation and all future generations. When I called upon the FCC to begin a process to strengthen E-Rate nearly two years ago, I knew that a cornerstone of that modernization effort would require additional funding for the program. That is why I have repeatedly called on the FCC to raise the permanent E-Rate cap. 

“By increasing E-Rate’s cap by $1.5 billion, the FCC is making sure that schools and libraries will have access to broadband networks with next generation speeds and capacities. I am deeply appreciative to Chairman Wheeler for his absolute determination to modernize the program and make this critical funding a reality. I also thank Commissioner Rosenworcel for being a tireless champion of the program and Commissioner Clyburn for her essential role in moving this forward.

“In 1996, when Senator Snowe and I launched E-Rate, we were not sure where the future would take us. The accomplishments of the E-Rate program over the last decade and a half are something we should all be very proud of, and I am confident we have only begun to see the promise of this program. Today’s action will provide generations of students the opportunity to compete in an increasingly interconnected and data-driven world – and ultimately lead them to brighter future.”

Earlier this year, Chairman Rockefeller and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) wrote a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler urging the FCC to raise E-Rate’s permanent funding cap. In November, Chairman Wheeler responded to the Senators concerns with a proposal to raise E-Rate’s funding cap, which was approved today. E-Rate modernization will bring more money to classrooms and libraries, and make sure every child has the tools to pursue a bright future. 

Background:

E-Rate covers the cost of wiring schools and libraries to the Internet, and provides student and adult access to information technology no matter their community or income level. West Virginia has received more than $200 million in E-Rate funding since the program’s inception in 1996. 

Chairman Rockefeller helped author the E-Rate program in 1996 and has steadfastly championed the program so that classrooms and libraries have the resources to keep up with evolving technology. When E-Rate began in 1996, less than 14 percent of classrooms were connected to the Internet. Now, because of E-Rate, more than 92 percent of classrooms are connected.

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