Civil and Human Rights Coalition Applauds FCC for Voting to Modernize Lifeline Program
WASHINGTON –– Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on today’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) vote to approve its proposal to modernize the Lifeline program to include broadband internet service:
“By voting to bring the Lifeline program into the 21st century, the FCC is taking a crucial step in narrowing our country’s digital divide and ensuring that all Americans have access to the essential communications services they need to live, learn, and work in today’s digital age. We thank Chairman Wheeler and Commissioners Clyburn and Rosenworcel for their leadership in moving forward with the critical and urgent task of building the bridge to connectivity for children, seniors, job seekers, low-income communities, and communities of color.
This exciting vote means that low-income families will finally get the assistance they need to address the primary obstacle to greater broadband adoption. Universality, excellence, choice and competition, innovation, efficiency, transparency, and accountability must be reflected in any modernization effort, and we look forward to working with the Commission to make sure that the Lifeline program will offer the highest quality services to low–income people.”
Wade Henderson is president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership 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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