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Cleaver Joins 140 Colleagues Urging Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to Coordinate With Other Federal Agencies to Inform Low-Income Families They Can Receive Broadband Services

April 30, 2020

Americans now eligible for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medicaid due to job loss or reduction in income are also eligible for the FCC's Lifeline program, the primary federal program charged with helping low-income families obtain broadband and telephone services

(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Representatives Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Chair of the House Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight and Department Operations, and Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, along with 140 colleagues in both the House and Senate, in urging Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai to work directly with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that the millions of Americans who are now eligible for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) or Medicaid due to job loss or reduction in income are informed that they are also eligible for the FCC's Lifeline program. The Lifeline program is the primary federal program charged with helping low-income families obtain broadband and telephone services.

"Non-essential businesses and schools have closed across the country to limit the spread of the coronavirus, leaving families to rely on the internet now more than ever to access public benefits, search for employment, learn from home, or access telehealth services. The need is greatest among low-income households forced to stretch limited resources to try to keep up with monthly expenses and put food on the table during the public health crisis. For these vulnerable populations, the FCC's Lifeline program can help struggling families afford basic internet and telephone connectivity at a time when they need it most – but only if they know about it," the lawmakers wrote.

"While we understand that the FCC has traditionally issued guidelines for states and telecommunications providers to advertise the Lifeline program, given the critical role of internet connectivity during the coronavirus pandemic, we urge the FCC to coordinate directly with USDA and HHS as well as states and stakeholders to help ensure people in need are informed about their eligibility for the Lifeline program."

"As schools and businesses do their best to maintain optimum efficiency at home, it's more important than ever that we ensure every American has access to broadband," said Congressman Cleaver. "A child shouldn't have to go to McDonald's to do their school work, and a worker shouldn't be forced to choose between their health and their job because they don't have access to the internet at home. This is why I have been pushing for investments in expanding broadband and will continue to do so."

The letter is supported by Public Knowledge, the National Consumer Law Center, United Church of Christ, OC Inc., and Third Way.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that connectivity is more important than ever. I've called for the FCC to coordinate with agencies that administer services that determine eligibility for the Lifeline program to ensure low-income communities learn about the critical Lifeline program. Americans cannot afford for the government to work in silos, and I'm thankful for the leadership of Senator Klobuchar, Senator Durbin, Congresswoman Fudge, and Congresswoman Eshoo to make sure more Americans know about this essential program in our social safety net," FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks said.

"The Lifeline program provides critical connectivity for those who need it most. Informing consumers about their Lifeline eligibility is a necessary step to help close the digital divide and is clearly something we should continue doing even after the pandemic ends. We are grateful for the leadership of Senators Klobuchar and Durbin and Representatives Fudge and Eshoo on this issue," said Chris Lewis, President and CEO, Public Knowledge.

Full text of the letter with a list of co-signers can be found here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Security, International Development, and Monetary Policy; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. For more information, please contact Matt Helfant at 202-590-0175 or Matthew.Helfant@mail.house.gov A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.