Ed Markey: “We must stay vigilant and continue to defend the American promise of equal citizenship, inclusion, and opportunity.”

Cutting E-Rate would narrow that talent pipeline. Maintaining connectivity in every school and library is therefore an investment in America’s technological leadership, economic competitiveness, and national security.

“I’m still reviewing text of this proposal, and I will be looking closely at the details. Building transmission is important. It’s also important not to lock in more fossil fuels and lock out communities.”

But cutting E-Rate is not a child-safety measure. E-Rate funds broadband connectivity — not laptops, tablets, applications, or online content.

“We agree that permitting should be efficient, predictable, and capable of supporting the infrastructure our country needs. But faster permitting should not come at the expense of transparency or communities’ ability to shape the decisions…