Wi-Fi hotspots may disappear at schools across the country
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Many schools and libraries across the U.S. have provided Wi-Fi hotspots to students under a Biden administration policy but that program is now one step closer to being overturned after the Senate voted Thursday to repeal the rule.
Senate Republicans used the Congressional Review Act to strike down the Federal Communications Commission initiative that funded Wi-Fi hotspot access for students. It was a 50-38 vote.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas.) who led the repeal effort, said in a statement that the Senate voted to 'reverse this rule and protect America's children from the many dangers lurking when they surf the web without parental consent or supervision.'
Democrats sharply opposed the move.
'Republicans are abandoning millions of students,' said Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.)who warned of the harm a lack of internet access could cause.
'Study after study has shown that students without access to broadband internet at home perform worse than their better connected classmates,' Markey said.
According to the Alliance for Excellent Education, more than 42,000 schools have benefited from the E-Rate funding program, with 83% of the first $1 billion directed to low-income schools.
'It's crazy. Just crazy,' said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).'This program is helping people in red states, blue states, purple states.'
In the House, Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho.) introduced the resolution. His office said the congressman 'is committed to having this legislation brought forward to overturn the … rule.'
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he's reviewing the measure.
'But conceptually I've got a problem with it,' Jeffries said. 'If the result is to limit or reduce access to Wi-Fi, broadband access or high-speed internet.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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