Washington (February 8, 2026) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today released the following statement on the 30^th anniversary of the E-Rate program. Senator Markey created the E-Rate program as part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Over the past 30 years, E-Rate has provided over $75 billion – including more than $1 billion to Massachusetts – to ensure students and educators have access to high-speed internet.

“Thirty years ago, when I created the E-Rate program, I believed deeply that access to information and opportunity should never depend on a child’s zip code or family income,” said Senator Markey. “E-Rate was built on a simple idea: if we connect every school and every library to the digital world, we can unlock the full potential of every student. For three decades, E-Rate has delivered on that promise, connecting classrooms, libraries, and communities in Massachusetts and across the United States. On this 30^th anniversary, I want to thank the educators, students, schools, libraries, and communities who made E-Rate real. Their work proves that when we invest in universal access, we can ensure that all students have the tools they need to succeed. As we celebrate 30 years of E-Rate, we recommit to its future — to protecting and strengthening E-Rate for the next generation.”

“The E-Rate program is a crucial tool in the fight for education equity, ensuring all schools can have secure and stable Internet access. Senator Markey had the foresight to see how the Internet would be changing the learning landscape, and he made sure that all students would have access to this essential technology. MTA educators are proud to join Sen. Markey in celebrating the 30th anniversary of the E-Rate Program,” said Max Page, President of Massachusetts Teachers Association.

“Our students are learning in a digital age. At this point, most people take access to the Internet for granted - it is a part of everyday life in the 21st century. It is hard to imagine life without it. As we saw new opportunities for worldwide use, Ed Markey was looking to the future, knowing that with great advancement would come great disparities in access,” said American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts President Jessica Tang. “His leadership gave us the E-Rate Program, which opens the world of knowledge to our students and their families through their schools and public libraries. Today, we celebrate the countless students and families from across the country who have benefited from this vital program and applaud Senator Markey’s work to ensure families in Gateway Cities have the same access that families in gated communities have.”

“In 1996, the passage of the Telecommunications Act was a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing communication and connectivity for all. Thirty years later, we celebrate the use of E-Rate connectivity as a critical foundational education resource ensuring equity across our Commonwealth’s schools by supporting instruction, student services, safety, and communication. We look forward to the next thirty years and the hope and innovation E-Rate connectivity will bring to our education communities,” said Dr. Mary M. Bourque, Executive Director of Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.

“E-Rate is critically important to libraries and to people they serve,” said Maureen Amyot, Director of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. “Public libraries in Massachusetts use E-Rate funding to break down the digital divide, making participation in today’s economy and society possible. Over the last three years Massachusetts has more than doubled E-Rate funding committed to libraries, with awards reaching every part of the state and impacting thousands of people.”

“The E-Rate program has been a quiet powerhouse for libraries across the country, connecting millions of patrons and students nationwide,” said Maria McCauley, president-elect of the American Library Association. “For half of U.S. public libraries that depend on E-Rate discounts to keep their communities connected, the program is more than numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s young people learning to do research, job seekers finding work, workers filing taxes, and seniors attending telehealth appointments. ALA is proud to partner with Senator Markey and the education community to keep E-Rate strong and expand access nationwide.”

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