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S 979 117th Congress Senate 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

A bill 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…

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A bill 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 25, 2021 Introduced by: Wyden, Ron Democratic · Oregon 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 25, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Mar 25, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
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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 March 25, 2021

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

 Related & companion bills 4
  • HR 1783 Related bill Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
  • S 745 Related bill Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act
  • HR 1848 Related bill LIFT America Act
  • HR 1721 Identical bill To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to authorize additional funds for the Emergency Broadband Connectivi…
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 13
All 13 Democratic 12 Independent 1
D
Baldwin, Tammy
Wisconsin · Mar 25, 2021
 D
Blumenthal, Richard
Connecticut · Mar 25, 2021
 D
Booker, Cory A.
New Jersey · Mar 25, 2021
 D
Duckworth, Tammy
Illinois · Mar 25, 2021
 D
Durbin, Richard J.
Illinois · Mar 25, 2021
 D
Gillibrand, Kirsten E.
New York · Mar 25, 2021
 D
Klobuchar, Amy
Minnesota · Mar 25, 2021
 D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Mar 25, 2021
 D
Merkley, Jeff
Oregon · Mar 25, 2021
 D
Murray, Patty
Washington · Mar 25, 2021
 I
Sanders, Bernard
Vermont · Mar 25, 2021
 D
Van Hollen, Chris
Maryland · Mar 25, 2021
 D
Warnock, Raphael G.
Georgia · Mar 25, 2021
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 979: A bill 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-S-979/
MLA
"S. 979: A bill 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-S-979/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 979, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-979/.
Markdown link
[S. 979: A bill 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-S-979/)
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