WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller today released the following statement on Acting Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn’s announcement that she intends to circulate a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would strengthen the E-Rate program to give students and teachers access to high-speed Internet in schools and libraries. Rockefeller first called on the FCC to update E-Rate at an FCC oversight hearing this March, where he received public commitments from all five FCC Commissioners to work with him to strengthen this already successful program. Rockefeller also received Mr. Tom Wheeler’s public commitment to update E-Rate at his nomination hearing this month.

“I commend Acting Chairwoman Clyburn for taking an important step today toward beginning the process of updating the E-Rate program, so all students and teachers can access the transformative power of technology in their schools and libraries. I look forward to working with the FCC on preserving and strengthening E-Rate as it holds the promise of a brighter future for our youngest generation."

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