Congress kills FCC broadband rule for low-income students
S.J.Res. 7 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program". · Filed by Ted Cruz (R-TX) · 16 cosponsors · Introduced Jan 27, 2025 · Passed chamber
Your members of Congress
Enter a ZIP to see where your representative and both senators stood on this bill.
Looked up on this device — your ZIP is never stored on our servers.
What it does
This resolution disapproves an FCC rule that expanded the E-Rate program to help low-income students access broadband at home for schoolwork. Congress votes to kill the rule, preventing the FCC from implementing the homework-gap initiative.
Why we flagged it
This is a Congressional Review Act (CRA) disapproval resolution under 5 U.S.C. § 801 et seq., a procedural instrument that voids a specific FCC rule without amending underlying law. It is a one-sentence mechanism with no room for hidden provisions.
What the text implies
- Disapproval may signal congressional intent to block future FCC attempts to expand E-Rate eligibility, potentially chilling agency rulemaking in this area.
- The vote occurs after the rule was already published and in effect (August 2024), so disapproval may disrupt existing program implementation and beneficiary expectations.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who it affects
The disapproved rule aimed to close the homework gap by extending broadband access to low-income students. Killing it removes a public benefit targeting educational equity and digital access for disadvantaged families.