Congress Moves to Cancel FCC Rule Aimed at Closing the Student 'Homework Gap'

This Joint Resolution is a direct legislative veto: Congress is using its power to formally reject and nullify a specific rule recently issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). That FCC rule, published on November 29, 2024, was designed to address the "Homework Gap"—the critical problem where students lack the home internet access necessary to complete school assignments. By passing this resolution, Congress is ensuring that the FCC's plan to expand the E-Rate Program (which funds school and library internet) to help connect students at home will not take effect. The rule is dead on arrival.

The E-Rate Program and the Homework Gap

To understand the impact, you need to know what the E-Rate Program is. Think of it as the federal subsidy that makes sure your kids’ school library has fast Wi-Fi and the classrooms have the bandwidth they need. The FCC’s now-rejected rule was trying to stretch that program’s reach just a bit further—from the school building out to the student’s home. For families struggling to afford reliable internet, especially in rural areas or low-income urban areas, this FCC move was a potential lifeline. It was an administrative attempt to solve a widely recognized equity problem.

What the Veto Means for Families

This resolution cancels that potential lifeline. The immediate, real-world impact is simple: the specific regulatory pathway the FCC created to help subsidize student home internet access is now closed. If you’re a parent whose child relies on taking a school bus to a public library just to submit an assignment, this resolution means the federal government won’t be helping bridge that gap through this specific mechanism. The problem of unequal internet access for students remains, but the administrative solution the FCC put forward is off the table, forcing policymakers back to square one.

Congressional Oversight vs. Administrative Action

This move highlights the tension between Congress and federal agencies. Congress is using the Congressional Review Act (CRA) mechanism to assert its oversight, essentially saying the FCC overstepped or used the wrong tool (the E-Rate program) for the job. While using the CRA is a valid constitutional check, the consequence here is the nullification of a rule designed to provide a tangible public benefit—expanded broadband access for education. The bill offers no replacement or alternative funding mechanism, meaning the millions of students affected by the Homework Gap will have to wait for a different legislative or regulatory fix.