Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026

This bill would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create a competitive grant program for states, territories, and Indian Tribes to tell people they may qualify for Lifeline, a federal program that lowers the cost of phone and internet service for low-income households. Grant funds would be used to inform people about Lifeline, explain how to apply, and partner with nonprofit and community groups that help people apply. The FCC would have to award grants to at least 25 percent of applying states and report to Congress within 3 years on the program's results. The bill would also create a second grant program to help states connect their benefit databases, such as SNAP records, to the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier so those records can be used to confirm Lifeline eligibility.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Richard J. Durbin Democrat sponsor
• 5 cosponsors