Durbin, Rep. Kelly Introduce Bicameral Bill To Increase Access To Broadband Service For Americans

Durbin, Rep. Kelly Introduce Bicameral Bill To Increase Access To Broadband Service For Americans

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) introduced a bicameral bill that would increase access to broadband service for low-income urban and rural Americans. The Promoting Access to Broadband Act would help states increase awareness and enrollment in the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Lifeline program, which provides a monthly subsidy to help low-income households pay for their broadband and telephone service. Specifically, the legislation would establish a competitive grant program through the FCC that would allow states to inform eligible recipients of the Lifeline program.

"Access to affordable and reliable internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Americans rely on broadband connection to complete school assignments, see their medical professionals, and talk to their loved ones, but for many families, the cost of internet access is just too high," Durbin said. "The Promoting Access to Broadband Act would increase awareness and enrollment in the FCC's Lifeline program, giving more Americans access to the internet."

"Families are facing higher costs for gas, groceries, rent, and basic necessities. The Lifeline program can alleviate some of the burden and cover internet costs for families," said Kelly. "I'm proud to introduce this bill with Senator Durbin to help families cut through the red tape and increase enrollment in the Lifeline program. My district covers urban, suburban, and rural areas, and they all deserve to have access to the internet, which is a necessity in this day and age."

"The Lifeline program was designed to help low-income people get and remain connected to communications services, yet it remains extremely underutilized, not because eligible households lack interest, but because they are unaware the program exists or face burdens navigating the enrollment process on their own. The Promoting Access to Broadband Act seeks to make a strategic investment in the human infrastructure needed to ensure the nation's most vulnerable communities are aware of and know how to enroll in the Lifeline program at a time when affordability remains the number one barrier keeping people on the wrong side of the digital divide," said Alisa Valentine, Broadband Policy Director at Public Knowledge.

Along with Durbin, the Promoting Access to Broadband Act is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).

In 2021, the federal government took bold, bipartisan action to invest in our nation's broadband infrastructure through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. Yet, with the expiration of the Affordable Connectivity Program and delays in investment, there is still much progress to be made in connecting families to broadband. According to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, as many as 25 million Americans lack access to broadband. A 2023 survey from Consumer Reports found that 27 percent of broadband users found it difficult to afford their monthly internet costs.

Further, participation in the Lifeline program remains extremely low nationwide. The Universal Service Administrative Company estimates the number of eligible households participating in Lifeline nationwide is just 22 percent, and only 14 percent in Illinois.

The Promoting Access to Broadband Act would:

• Award grants to at least 25 percent of states;

• Direct the FCC to consider several factors in evaluating applications, including states with a higher number of covered individuals, states with plans with the potential to reach a higher percentage of eligible-but-not-enrolled households, and geographic diversity;

• Allow states to use the funds to inform eligible individuals that are not enrolled, provide information on how to apply for Lifeline, and partner with non-profit and community-based organizations with a proven track record of implementing digital inclusion initiatives to assist individuals applying for Lifeline; and

• Require the FCC to issue a report to Congress within a year of establishing the grant program evaluating the grant's effectiveness.

To be eligible for these programs, an individual must have an income at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the Lifeline program. Enrollees also are eligible if they qualify for a needs-based program, such as Medicaid or SNAP, or receive Supplemental Security Income, federal public housing assistance, or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits.

The bill has earned endorsements from National Digital Inclusion Alliance, Public Knowledge, Third Way, and ACLU.

Full text of the bill is available here.

-30-