WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV, Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today issued the following statement on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler’s proposal to raise the E-Rate program’s funding cap.

“The E-Rate program is one of the most successful and consequential technology and education initiatives ever created. Today, the E-Rate program gives almost every classroom in America access to the Internet fundamentally transforming the educational experience for a generation of our Nation’s school children.

“Today’s announcement puts the goal of securing E Rate’s future within reach with this substantial investment. I thank Chairman Wheeler for his commitment to making sure E-Rate has the resources it needs to meet the growing technology needs of our schools and libraries. I also want to thank Commissioner Rosenworcel for her tireless efforts to modernize E-Rate.”

Rockefeller was instrumental in the creation of the E-Rate program and has advocated for its modernization. In July, he and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) wrote a letter to Chairman Wheeler urging the FCC to raise E-Rate’s permanent funding cap. 

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