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A bill to amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to authorize additional funds for the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund, to provide grants to States and Tribal Entities to strengthen the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, to provide for Federal coordination between the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Accuracy Clearinghouse, and for other purposes.

USA117th CongressS-979| Senate 
| Updated: 3/25/2021
Ron Wyden

Ron Wyden

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (15)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Dianne Feinstein (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Raphael G. Warnock (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill makes changes to facilitate data sharing between the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and programs that subsidize communication services to verify eligibility for applicable programs. Specifically, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must award grants to states and tribes for establishing or modifying connections between databases with information regarding benefit programs (e.g., SNAP) and the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier to verify eligibility for the Lifeline program (which subsidizes telephone and internet services for low-income individuals) and the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (which subsidizes broadband services for those who suffered income loss during the COVID-19 pandemic and other eligible households). The bill also reauthorizes through FY2026 the fund that supports the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. In addition, the FCC must establish an automated connection to share data between the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Accuracy Clearinghouse for SNAP. The FCC must coordinate with the Department of Agriculture to establish the connection.
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Timeline
Mar 25, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Mar 25, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
May 21, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-1721
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
  • March 25, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 25, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • May 21, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-1721
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • S 117-745: Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
  • HR 117-1783: Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
  • HR 117-1721: To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to authorize additional funds for the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund, to provide grants to States and Tribal Entities to strengthen the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, to provide for Federal coordination between the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Accuracy Clearinghouse, and for other purposes.
  • HR 117-1848: LIFT America Act
Cardiovascular and respiratory healthEmergency medical services and trauma careFood assistance and reliefGovernment information and archivesGovernment trust fundsIndian social and development programsInfectious and parasitic diseasesInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaTelecommunication rates and fees

A bill to amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to authorize additional funds for the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund, to provide grants to States and Tribal Entities to strengthen the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, to provide for Federal coordination between the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Accuracy Clearinghouse, and for other purposes.

USA117th CongressS-979| Senate 
| Updated: 3/25/2021
This bill makes changes to facilitate data sharing between the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and programs that subsidize communication services to verify eligibility for applicable programs. Specifically, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must award grants to states and tribes for establishing or modifying connections between databases with information regarding benefit programs (e.g., SNAP) and the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier to verify eligibility for the Lifeline program (which subsidizes telephone and internet services for low-income individuals) and the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (which subsidizes broadband services for those who suffered income loss during the COVID-19 pandemic and other eligible households). The bill also reauthorizes through FY2026 the fund that supports the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. In addition, the FCC must establish an automated connection to share data between the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Accuracy Clearinghouse for SNAP. The FCC must coordinate with the Department of Agriculture to establish the connection.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Mar 25, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Mar 25, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
May 21, 2021

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-1721
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
  • March 25, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 25, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • May 21, 2021

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-1721
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
Ron Wyden

Ron Wyden

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (15)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Dianne Feinstein (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Patty Murray (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Raphael G. Warnock (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • S 117-745: Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
  • HR 117-1783: Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
  • HR 117-1721: To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to authorize additional funds for the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund, to provide grants to States and Tribal Entities to strengthen the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, to provide for Federal coordination between the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Accuracy Clearinghouse, and for other purposes.
  • HR 117-1848: LIFT America Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Cardiovascular and respiratory healthEmergency medical services and trauma careFood assistance and reliefGovernment information and archivesGovernment trust fundsIndian social and development programsInfectious and parasitic diseasesInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaTelecommunication rates and fees