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Emergency Broadband Connections Act of 2020

USA116th CongressS-4095| Senate 
| Updated: 6/29/2020
Ron Wyden

Ron Wyden

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (28)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Tom Udall (Democratic)Dianne Feinstein (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Doug Jones (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Benjamin L. Cardin (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Emergency Broadband Connections Act of 2020 This bill establishes an emergency broadband benefit for certain households during the emergency period related to COVID-19, and it modifies the Lifeline program of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which reduces the cost of communications services for low-income consumers. Specifically, the bill requires a broadband service provider to provide a low-income household, upon request, with broadband internet service at a price that is discounted in an amount equal to the emergency broadband benefit for such household. The emergency broadband benefit is a monthly discount that is applied to the normal or special rate for internet service. Further, the bill establishes the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund from which the FCC shall reimburse a provider in an amount equal to the emergency broadband benefit provided to a household. Providers that supply discounted connected devices (e.g., computers) to eligible households may also receive certain reimbursements from the fund. The bill requires service providers participating in the FCC's Lifeline program to provide an unlimited number of minutes and data during the emergency period. The bill also requires the FCC to make a grant to each state for connecting the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) database to the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, so that receipt of SNAP benefits is reflected in the Lifeline verifier. The verifier determines consumer eligibility for the Lifeline program, and receipt of SNAP benefits automatically qualifies a household for Lifeline service.
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Timeline
May 14, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-6881
Introduced in House
Jun 29, 2020
Introduced in Senate
Jun 29, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • May 14, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-6881
    Introduced in House


  • June 29, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 29, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 116-6881: Emergency Broadband Connections Act of 2020
Accounting and auditingAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresCardiovascular and respiratory healthCongressional oversightConsumer affairsConsumer creditElementary and secondary educationEmergency medical services and trauma careFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Federal-Indian relationsFood assistance and reliefGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHigher educationInfectious and parasitic diseasesIntergovernmental relationsInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaNutrition and dietState and local government operationsStudent aid and college costsTelecommunication rates and fees

Emergency Broadband Connections Act of 2020

USA116th CongressS-4095| Senate 
| Updated: 6/29/2020
Emergency Broadband Connections Act of 2020 This bill establishes an emergency broadband benefit for certain households during the emergency period related to COVID-19, and it modifies the Lifeline program of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which reduces the cost of communications services for low-income consumers. Specifically, the bill requires a broadband service provider to provide a low-income household, upon request, with broadband internet service at a price that is discounted in an amount equal to the emergency broadband benefit for such household. The emergency broadband benefit is a monthly discount that is applied to the normal or special rate for internet service. Further, the bill establishes the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund from which the FCC shall reimburse a provider in an amount equal to the emergency broadband benefit provided to a household. Providers that supply discounted connected devices (e.g., computers) to eligible households may also receive certain reimbursements from the fund. The bill requires service providers participating in the FCC's Lifeline program to provide an unlimited number of minutes and data during the emergency period. The bill also requires the FCC to make a grant to each state for connecting the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) database to the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, so that receipt of SNAP benefits is reflected in the Lifeline verifier. The verifier determines consumer eligibility for the Lifeline program, and receipt of SNAP benefits automatically qualifies a household for Lifeline service.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 14, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-6881
Introduced in House
Jun 29, 2020
Introduced in Senate
Jun 29, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • May 14, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-6881
    Introduced in House


  • June 29, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 29, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Ron Wyden

Ron Wyden

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (28)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Tom Udall (Democratic)Dianne Feinstein (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Kamala D. Harris (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Doug Jones (Democratic)Jacky Rosen (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Michael F. Bennet (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Sherrod Brown (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Benjamin L. Cardin (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 116-6881: Emergency Broadband Connections Act of 2020
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Accounting and auditingAdministrative law and regulatory proceduresCardiovascular and respiratory healthCongressional oversightConsumer affairsConsumer creditElementary and secondary educationEmergency medical services and trauma careFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Federal-Indian relationsFood assistance and reliefGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHigher educationInfectious and parasitic diseasesIntergovernmental relationsInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaNutrition and dietState and local government operationsStudent aid and college costsTelecommunication rates and fees