Rep. Mark Takano, Former Teacher, Praises FCC for Modernizing the Lifeline Program to Include Broadband
Washington DC – Today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission voted to modernize the Lifeline program to include high-speed Internet.
“I strongly support the FCC’s decision to provide low-income families greater access to high-speed Internet by modernizing the Lifeline program. As a teacher, I witnessed the injustice of the digital divide and the effect it has on student performance. Broadband access is no longer a luxury; it is a fundamental tool for learning and participating in society.
“I am pleased that the modernized program reflects much of the guidance House Democrats offered to the FCC as it drafted its proposal. For example, it streamlines the eligibility verification process and sets a basic framework that ensures meaningful Internet access for the program’s participants. Going forward, we must closely monitor the program’s implementation to make sure it is working for those who are eligible, and we must encourage widespread adoption as the rule changes and modernizes.
“Today’s vote is an important victory for low-income communities. It will mean more students can complete their homework, more workers can find and apply for job openings, and more families can connect with basic services.
In February, Rep. Takano led 80 Democrats in a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler offering specific guidance for the Lifeline program expansion that ensures it will meet the evolving needs of low-income Americans.
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