HJRES 33119th CongressIn Committee

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program".

Introduced: Feb 4, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

H. J. Res. 33 is a joint resolution that uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to disapprove a Federal Communications Commission rule titled “Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program.” The FCC rule in question was published in the Federal Register on August 20, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 67303). If Congress passes and the President signs this joint resolution, the rule would have no force or effect and could not be enforced. In effect, the bill blocks the FCC’s proposed changes to how the E-Rate program could be used to address students’ homework gaps related to internet access at home. This is a check on agency action: through the CRA, Congress can nullify a recently issued rule, preserving existing E-Rate rules rather than implementing the FCC’s proposed changes. The bill does not itself alter policy beyond disapproving this specific rule.

Key Points

1Provides congressional disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) of an FCC rule titled “Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program.”
2If enacted, the rule stated in the resolution shall have no force or effect, effectively nullifying it.
3The targeted rule was published in the Federal Register on August 20, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 67303).
4The mechanism is a joint resolution; Congress must pass and, typically, the President must sign, or Congress must override a veto, to block the rule.
5By disapproving the rule, Congress maintains the status quo for E-Rate provisions related to addressing homework gaps, delaying or preventing the FCC’s proposed changes from taking effect.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Students and families who rely on the E-Rate program and who are affected by home internet access for completing schoolwork (the “homework gap”).- K-12 schools and libraries that participate in E-Rate and would be influenced by the FCC rule’s proposed changes.Secondary group/area affected- School districts, librarians, and E-Rate program administrators who would implement or adapt to the FCC rule.- Telecommunications and broadband providers involved with funding or delivering services through the E-Rate program.Additional impacts- Federal regulatory process: Each side of Congress exercises its oversight of agency action, using the CRA to block an agency rule.- Policy implications for digital equity: Blocking the rule may slow or alter efforts to expand home internet access for students, depending on what the FCC rule would have changed.- Administrative and funding uncertainty: Schools and libraries may experience uncertainty about how E-Rate funds can be used to support homework-gap initiatives pending further actions or new rulemaking.The bill is currently introduced in the 119th Congress with no sponsor identified in the provided text and has not yet become law. If enacted, it would directly halt the FCC’s proposed rule and preserve existing E-Rate rules unless Congress takes further action.

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