Civil and Human Rights Coalition Applauds FCC Move to Modernize Lifeline Program

WASHINGTON—Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement in support of the Federal Communications Commission’s announcement that it intends to modernize the longstanding, successful Lifeline program to include broadband:

“Chairman Wheeler’s announcement marks an important step forward in ensuring that all Americans can thrive in today’s economy. In today’s information age, the Internet is as vital to the lives of everyday Americans as electricity was in the last century, and can play a critical role in moving people out of poverty and into the new economy by providing access to job opportunities, health care, social services, and education.

And yet, there are still far too many disparities in Internet adoption, particularly among communities of color, low-income communities, people with limited English proficiency, and people with disabilities. The FCC has the power to address this disparity by modernizing the Lifeline program to include broadband.

Modernizing the program will give broadband access to millions of low-income people. At a time when those most in need of the advantages of broadband do not or cannot use it because of cost, reducing the high cost of broadband service is a concrete step our nation can take toward an inclusive economic recovery.”

Wade Henderson is the president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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