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HR 1721 117th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications Cardiovascular and respiratory health Emergency medical services and trauma care Food assistance and relief Government information and archives Government trust funds Indian social and development programs Infectious and parasitic diseases Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Telecommunication rates and fees

To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to authorize additional funds for the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund, to provide grants to States and Tribal Entities to strengthen the…

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To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to authorize additional funds for the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund, to provide grants to States and Tribal Entities to strengthen the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, to provide for Federal coordination between the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Accuracy Clearinghouse, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 9, 2021 Introduced by: Veasey, Marc A. Democratic · Texas See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) 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 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 21, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
Mar 10, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Mar 9, 2021
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 9, 2021
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This bill makes changes to facilitate data sharing between the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and programs that subsidize communication services to verify eligibility for applicable programs.

Specifically, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must award grants to states and tribes for establishing or modifying connections between databases with information regarding benefit programs (e.g., SNAP) and the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier to verify eligibility for the Lifeline program (which subsidizes telephone and internet services for low-income individuals) and the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (which subsidizes broadband services for those who suffered income loss during the COVID-19 pandemic and other eligible households). The bill also reauthorizes through FY2026 the fund that supports the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.

In addition, the FCC must establish an automated connection to share data between the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Accuracy Clearinghouse for SNAP. The FCC must coordinate with the Department of Agriculture to establish the connection.

What's happening now May 21, 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.

 Related & companion bills 4
  • HR 1848 Related bill LIFT America Act
  • HR 1783 Related bill Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
  • S 745 Related bill Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
  • S 979 Identical bill A bill to amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to authorize additional funds for the Emergency Broadband Con…
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Blunt Rochester, Lisa
Delaware · Mar 9, 2021
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1721: To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to authorize additional funds for the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund, to provide grants to States and Tribal Entities to strengthen the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, to provide for Federal coordination between the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Accuracy Clearinghouse, and for other purposes.. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1721/
MLA
"H.R. 1721: To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to authorize additional funds for the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund, to provide grants to States and Tribal Entities to strengthen the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, to provide for Federal coordination between the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Accuracy Clearinghouse, and for other purposes.." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1721/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1721, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1721/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1721: To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to authorize additional funds for the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund, to provide grants to States and Tribal Entities to strengthen the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, to provide for Federal coordination between the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Accuracy Clearinghouse, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-HR-1721/)
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