Debt Limit Bill Would Claw Back Some COVID-19 Connectivity Aid From FCC, USDA
The Fiscal Responsibility Act debt limit measure (HR-3746), which the House and Senate are to consider this week, includes language that would rescind “unobligated” COVID-19 emergency funding for the FCC and Agriculture Department Rural Utilities Service enacted as part of…
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the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (see 2003270058). The 2020 law allocated $200 million to the FCC “to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, domestically or internationally, including to support efforts of health care providers to address coronavirus by providing telecommunications services, information services, and devices necessary to enable the provision of telehealth services during” the federal government’s COVID-19 emergency period. The statute allocated $25 million to RUS’ Distance Learning, Telemedicine and Broadband Program to “prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, domestically or internationally, for telemedicine and distance learning services in rural areas.” HR-3746 would allow Congress to continue making advance appropriations for CPB even as it temporarily bars them for most other programs. The measure would leave nondefense spending levels largely at the same level in FY 2024 as lawmakers enacted in December for FY 2023, though Congress hasn’t passed any appropriations legislation for FY24. The House will vote on HR-3746 Wednesday. Its prospects for passage remained uncertain amid resistance from some members of both parties. The Senate would have to act on the measure before June 5, the day the federal government is expected to hit the current debt ceiling.