SHLB, ALA, All4ed, Wireless Future, and Common Sense Media Disappointed by Senate Vote to Block Hots
May 8, 2025
Washington, D.C. – The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, the American Library Association, All4ed, Wireless Future at New America, and Common Sense Media expressed strong disappointment following the Senate’s passage of S.J. Res. 7, a Congressional Review Act resolution that overturns the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to allow E-rate funding for Wi-Fi hotspot lending by schools and libraries.
The resolution now heads to the House of Representatives. If enacted, it would eliminate a critical tool that community anchor institutions use to provide broadband access to students and library patrons who rely on hotspots for education, employment, and healthcare.
“This vote is a setback for the millions of students, library patrons, and patients who depend on hotspot access to stay connected,” said Joseph Wender, Executive Director of SHLB. “But our fight isn’t over. SHLB remains committed to defending digital opportunity, and we are hopeful that the House will see the harm this resolution would cause and choose a better path forward. Communities across the country, including rural and underserved areas, are counting on it.”
“This disappointing vote doesn’t need to become law if Congress considers how many constituents are benefiting and will benefit in the future from this program,” said Cindy Hohl, President of the American Library Association. “The enthusiasm for this vote was low. E-Rate, supported financially by the Universal Service Fund, is wildly popular. Hotspots provided through the federal E-Rate program offer a flexible, at-home opportunity for internet access, which individuals and families need, along with digital skills training that libraries are uniquely suited to provide.”
“We are disappointed by the Senate’s vote to repeal the FCC’s E-Rate Hotspots Rule,” said Amy Loyd, CEO of All4ed. “This decision threatens to widen the Homework Gap by cutting off a vital source of internet access funding for students—especially in low-income and rural communities. Allowing schools and libraries to use E-Rate funds for Wi-Fi hotspots is a common-sense step that reflects the realities of modern learning. Repealing this rule helps no one. The House of Representatives should stand with students and reject this harmful resolution.”
“The pandemic school closings revealed a gaping homework gap, undermining education for hundreds of thousands of low-income and rural students in particular,” said Michael Calabrese, director of Wireless Future at New America, a nonprofit policy institute. “And yet Senate Republicans have voted to end the one remaining universal service program that helps schools connect kids in need to the internet at home and outside of school hours. This action, if it stands, will do further damage to educational outcomes nationwide.”
“Following the expiration of the ACP and ECF, the E-Rate hotspot lending program was the only remaining federal support for students in the digital divide,” said Amina Fazlullah, Head of Tech Policy Advocacy, Common Sense Media. “We’re disappointed that the Senate moved forward with this drastic and short-sighted measure to end the program instead of using the expertise of the FCC to make improvements. In today’s digital world, internet access is as essential to school success as textbooks, pencils, and calculators. Now more than ever, it’s important for Congress to focus on supporting the more than 16 million K-12 students who lack a reliable at-home connection. Our research has shown that when students are disconnected, America loses more than $30 billion in GDP per year. Without consistent, affordable, high-speed internet at home, our students — and our economy — will suffer.”
In March, SHLB and 31 other organizations sent a joint letter to Senate leadership urging them to protect the FCC’s decision. Despite this widespread support, the motion to proceed prevailed.
Over 800 school and library districts have requested approximately 200,000 wi-fi hotspots to loan out this year to students and library patrons — a clear indication of the urgent demand for flexible, community-centered broadband solutions.
Read the joint letter here.
Read SHLB’s previous statement applauding the FCC’s decision on hotspots.
Watch Joey’s remarks at today’s CRA hotspots press conference here.
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