Washington (June 27, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Federal Communications Commission v. Consumers’ Research that the Universal Service Fund (USF) is constitutional. The USF funds broadband programs, including the E-Rate program, which provides funding to connect schools and libraries to the internet.

“Today’s ruling reaffirms that the E-Rate program is the essential broadband lifeline for education in the twenty-first century, benefitting millions of students in Massachusetts and across the country. Without it, too many classrooms would fall into digital darkness and too many students would be left offline and unable to compete. Thanks to this ruling, E-Rate will continue serving as a great technological equalizer for millions of students. I will continue fighting to protect and expand the E-Rate program, so that every child -- regardless of their zip code -- has access to the internet.”

Senator Markey is the House author of the original E-Rate program, which has invested more than $62 billion to connect schools and libraries to the internet across the country. Massachusetts schools and libraries have received more than $930 million from the E-Rate program and another $97 million from the Emergency Connectivity Fund, a $7 billion program that Senators Markey and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) created within the American Rescue Plan to provide devices and connectivity for students and educators at home.

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