WASHINGTON —U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), co-author of legislation to expand broadband Internet services to low-income Americans, today applauded the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) final proposal under the Lifeline program to help low-income households access high-speed Internet. The proposal is expected to be approved by FCC members on March 31, 2016.  

Murphy introduced the Broadband Adoption Act last year with U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and U.S. Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Calif.). The bill would modernize the Universal Service Fund Lifeline Assistance Program – which currently subsidizes basic landline and mobile phone services for low-income Americans – and expand it to in-home online services. In June 2015, Murphy met with students at Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport to listen and learn about how increased Internet access would enhance their opportunities for success.

“We introduced the Broadband Adoption Act to expand Lifeline and that’s exactly what the FCC is doing. The proposal announced today mirrors our bill to shrink the technological divide and put new opportunities within reach for thousands of families,” said Murphy. “I thank Senator Booker and Congresswoman Matsui for leading the charge with me and look forward to our continued work to get the Broadband Adoption Act passed through Congress.”

“Having in-home access to the Internet is no longer a luxury, it’s an economic necessity. It enables children to learn essential new skills for the 21st century economy and makes it possible for moms and dads to apply for jobs and stay in touch with their kids’ teachers. I saw it firsthand last summer during a visit to Bridgeport’s Warren Harding High School, where a third of the students don’t have access to Internet in their homes,” Murphy added.

The FCC estimates that nearly 100 million Americans still do not have broadband Internet services at home. Several studies by Pew and the FCC have found that broadband adoption rates in urban and rural communities are largely associated with incomes levels and the high cost of broadband services. While the broadband penetration rate is over 90 percent nationwide among households making over $50,000 a year, that figure drops to 68 percent for homes bringing in $30,000-$50,000 a year, and to less than half in households making under $30,000.