ALA Disappointed by Senate Vote to Block Hotspot Funds

Washington - The American Library Association, along with other members of the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, expressed strong disappointment following the Senate’s passage of S.J. Res. 7, a Congressional Review Act resolution that overturns the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) decision to allow E-rate funding for Wi-Fi hotspot lending by schools and libraries.

The resolution now heads to the House of Representatives. If enacted, it would eliminate a critical tool that community anchor institutions use to provide broadband access to students and library patrons who rely on hotspots for education, employment, and healthcare.

"This disappointing vote doesn't need to become law if Congress considers how many constituents are benefiting and will benefit in the future from this program,” said Cindy Hohl, President of the American Library Association. “The enthusiasm for this vote was low. E-Rate, supported financially by the Universal Service Fund, is wildly popular. Hotspots provided through the federal E-Rate program offer a flexible, at-home opportunity for internet access, which individuals and families need, along with digital skills training that libraries are uniquely suited to provide.”

In March, ALA and 31 other organizations sent a joint letter to Senate leadership urging them to protect the FCC’s decision. ALA members and library advocates sent nearly 8,000 messages to Congress to express our support for the program and the demand from library patrons nationwide. ALA held dozens of Congressional meetings, including at ALA’s Fly-In, with decisionmakers and their staff. Despite this widespread support, the motion to proceed prevailed.

Over 800 school and library districts have requested approximately 200,000 Wi-Fi hotspots to loan out this year to students and library patrons — a clear indication of the urgent demand for flexible, community-centered broadband solutions.

“This vote is a setback for the millions of students, library patrons, and patients who depend on hotspot access to stay connected,” said Joseph Wender, Executive Director of SHLB. “But our fight isn’t over. SHLB remains committed to defending digital opportunity, and we are hopeful that the House will see the harm this resolution would cause and choose a better path forward. Communities across the country, including rural and underserved areas, are counting on it.”

Read the joint letter here.

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About the American Library Association

The American Library Association (ALA) is the only non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated entirely to America's libraries and library professionals. For almost 150 years, ALA has provided resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. The ALA serves academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.