# Lawmakers Urge FCC to Preserve E-Rate

The FCC is considering whether to retain E-Rate, narrow support to rural communities or areas with a single internet provider, or eliminate the program. Congressional Democrats urged FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to withdraw the proposal on October 15 and October 19, 2026. E-Rate provided discounts of 20% to 90% and supported more than 158,000 schools and libraries in 2025, with more than $69 billion invested to date. The FCC rulemaking creates uncertainty for education-network providers and school and library customers; no solicitation or contract award is identified.

- The reply-comment deadline is **November 12, 2026 (23 days away)**. Organizations with relevant interests can submit reply comments through the FCC rulemaking process.
- Broadband, Wi-Fi, and network providers should assess their exposure to school and library customers that rely on E-Rate, since changes to program scope could affect customer budgets and demand.
- CoSN has urged the FCC to make cybersecurity products and services permanently eligible for E-Rate funding. Providers of those services can assess how this eligibility issue relates to their education-sector offerings.
- New York received nearly $182 million in E-Rate funding in 2025, illustrating the program’s potential regional impact if eligibility or funding changes.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Education, Information Technology
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Cybersecurity, Digital Infrastructure, Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 19, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- U.S. Congress (Congress)
- U.S. Senate
- U.S. House of Representatives

### Key Quotes
> E-Rate has been successful because it has provided schools with the reliable connectivity they need to serve students and educators. That success is not a reason to pull back. As technology becomes more deeply integrated into teaching, learning, and school operations, schools need networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure and resilient. The FCC should build on what works by preserving E-Rate and modernizing it to meet the needs of today’s schools.
> — Keith Krueger, CEO

> I urge the FCC to immediately withdraw its harmful proposal, and I will continue fighting to protect E-Rate and keep investing in our schools, libraries, and future leaders.
> — Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator

### Sources
- [Congressional Democrats Urge FCC to Withdraw Proposal to Eliminate E-Rate – MeriTalk](https://www.meritalk.com/articles/congressional-democrats-urge-fcc-to-withdraw-proposal-to-eliminate-e-rate) - MeriTalk
- [Congressional Democrats send letter urging FCC’s Carr to drop E-Rate elimination proposal | StateScoop](https://statescoop.com/congressional-democrats-send-letter-urging-fccs-carr-to-drop-e-rate-elimination-proposal) - StateScoop
- [Sen. Markey, Leader Schumer, Reps. Matsui, Menendez, Meng Lead Colleagues in Demanding Trump FCC Withdraw Proposal to Undermine E-Rate Program](https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-markey-leader-schumer-reps-matsui-menendez-meng-lead-colleagues-in-demanding-trump-fcc-withdraw-proposal-to-undermine-e-rate-program) - Markey Senate