Overview

• A letter led by Sen. Ed Markey urges the FCC to maintain subsidies for school‑loaned hotspots and Wi‑Fi on school buses.
• The lawmakers oppose Chair Brendan Carr’s plan to end E‑Rate support for those services, arguing the expansion has aided schools and libraries.
• They warn reversing the decisions would undermine efforts to close the Homework Gap for students who rely on off‑campus internet access.
• The letter faults Carr for adding the items to an updated agenda only a week before the open meeting, requesting their removal to allow standard public notice.
• Signatories include Sens. Ben Ray Luján, Chris Van Hollen, Peter Welch and Rep. Grace Meng, and Markey cites $68 million in connectivity gains as The Hill seeks FCC comment.