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H.R. 6563 116th Congress House

Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020

Official title: To provide for E-Rate support for Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and connected devices during emergency periods relating to COVID-19, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 22, 2020 Introduced by: Grace Meng Democratic · New York See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCardiovascular and respiratory healthComputers and information technologyEducational facilities and institutions
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Educational technology and distance educationElementary and secondary educationEmergency medical services and trauma careFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Government trust fundsIndian social and development programsInfectious and parasitic diseasesLibraries and archivesMinority educationTelecommunication rates and fees
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 5, 2020
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E425)
Apr 21, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Apr 21, 2020
Introduced in House
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 Latest action May 5, 2020

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E425)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020

This bill establishes and provides funding for the Emergency Connectivity Fund, from which the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must provide support for certain schools or libraries to purchase specified telecommunications equipment during the public health emergency declared because of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).

Specifically, the FCC shall provide funds to certain elementary schools, secondary schools, or libraries to purchase telecommunications equipment or services (e.g., Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, and routers) for use by students, staff, or patrons at locations that include locations other than the schools or libraries. Priority must be given to students, staff, or patrons who do not have access to such equipment or services.

Following the emergency period, funding recipients are authorized to use purchased equipment for appropriate purposes but may not sell or transfer such equipment for anything of value, except for upgraded equipment of the same type.

 Related & companion bills 4
  • S 3690 Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020
  • HR 6800 The Heroes Act
  • S 4112 Coronavirus Child Care and Education Relief Act
  • S 4131 Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 99
All 99 Democratic 56
Demings, Val
· Nov 12, 2020
Kildee, Daniel
· Oct 9, 2020
Speier, Jackie
· Oct 9, 2020
 D
Wilson, Frederica S.
Florida · Oct 9, 2020
 D
Davids, Sharice
Kansas · Sep 16, 2020
Trone, David
· Jul 27, 2020
Blumenauer, Earl
· Jun 4, 2020
KIND, RON
· Jun 4, 2020
Kuster, Ann
· Jun 4, 2020
Finkenauer, Abby
· May 22, 2020
 D
Foster, Bill
Illinois · May 19, 2020
Fudge, Marcia
· May 19, 2020
 D
Garamendi, John
California · May 19, 2020
 D
Gottheimer, Josh
New Jersey · May 19, 2020
 D
Blunt Rochester, Lisa
Delaware · May 13, 2020
Butterfield, G. K.
· May 13, 2020
 D
Chu, Judy
California · May 13, 2020
 D
Lynch, Stephen F.
Massachusetts · May 13, 2020
 D
Matsui, Doris O.
California · May 13, 2020
McNerney, Jerry
· May 13, 2020
 D
Nadler, Jerrold
New York · May 13, 2020
 D
Carson, André
Indiana · May 8, 2020
Cicilline, David
· May 8, 2020
DEFAZIO, PETER
· May 8, 2020
 D
Gallego, Ruben
Arizona · May 8, 2020
 D
Jayapal, Pramila
Washington · May 8, 2020
JOHNSON, EDDIE
· May 8, 2020
Lee, Barbara
· May 8, 2020
Loebsack, David
· May 8, 2020
McEachin, A.
· May 8, 2020
 D
McGovern, James P.
Massachusetts · May 8, 2020
 D
Norcross, Donald
New Jersey · May 8, 2020
 D
Pingree, Chellie
Maine · May 8, 2020
ROYBAL-ALLARD, LUCILLE
· May 8, 2020
Sarbanes, John
· May 8, 2020
 D
Slotkin, Elissa
Michigan · May 8, 2020
 D
Vargas, Juan
California · May 8, 2020
Vela, Filemon
· May 8, 2020
 D
Adams, Alma S.
North Carolina · May 5, 2020
 D
Castor, Kathy
Florida · May 5, 2020
Haaland, Debra
· May 5, 2020
Heck, Denny
· May 5, 2020
 D
Lee, Susie
Nevada · May 5, 2020
 D
Schiff, Adam B.
California · May 5, 2020
 D
Smith, Adam
Washington · May 5, 2020
 D
Thompson, Mike
California · May 5, 2020
 D
Trahan, Lori
Massachusetts · May 5, 2020
Axne, Cynthia
· May 1, 2020
 D
Barragán, Nanette Diaz
California · May 1, 2020
 D
Beatty, Joyce
Ohio · May 1, 2020
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 6563: Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-6563/
MLA
"H.R. 6563: Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-6563/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 6563, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-6563/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 6563: Emergency Educational Connections Act of 2020](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-6563/)
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