Sen. Cruz Urges FCC to Simplify E-Rate Program

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) released a Report recommending that the FCC simplify the E-Rate program’s application, bidding, and reimbursement process to reduce school and library reliance on consultants. The Report concluded that E-Rate consultants collect between $200 million to $400 million annually to help schools and libraries navigate the current E-Rate program system. Sen. Cruz also urged the Commission to stop further expansion of E-Rate, including pilot programs, until the E-Rate program’s vulnerabilities are addressed. Cruz urged Congress to reexamine the 1996 Telecommunications Act’s schools and libraries provisions to ensure they reflect today’s connectivity environment. The Report was released following the FCC’s June Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which aimed to potentially revamp or wind-down the E-Rate program.