A resolution introduced by Senator Cruz (R‑TX) targeting E‑rate support for off‑campus Wi‑Fi hotspots that schools and libraries loan to students and patrons is making progress in the Senate. While the bill has not yet reached final passage, its progress indicates growing momentum, having recently cleared several key steps in the legislative process.
What’s Happened So Far
Senator Cruz introduced S.J. Res. 7 on January 27, 2025. After introduction, the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which is responsible for closely examining proposed legislation. Typically, committees hold hearings, suggest amendments, and then vote on whether to advance the bill to the full Senate. However, in the case of S.J. Res. 7, the committee discharged the bill by petition—a procedure that bypasses the standard committee vote—allowing it to be placed directly on the Senate calendar for full consideration.
On May 6, 2025, the Senate voted 53–47 to approve a motion to proceed with consideration of the bill. This type of motion is used to bring a bill to the Senate floor for debate when unanimous consent cannot be obtained. Once a bill reaches the floor, the Senate typically begins formal debate, considers and votes on possible amendments, files for cloture to limit extended debate if necessary, and eventually votes on final passage.
What Happens Next
The bill must still clear several key legislative hurdles in the Senate before it can reach final passage. If and when that occurs, it will be sent to the House of Representatives for further consideration, where it will undergo its own review process—including committee hearings, floor debate, and voting.
Notably, the companion bill in the House, H.J. Res. 33, has seen little to no progress to date. It has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee but has not yet been scheduled for any hearings or markups.
If the House eventually passes a version of the bill that differs from the Senate’s, both chambers will need to reconcile those differences through a conference committee before a final version can advance.
Once both the Senate and the House approve an identical version of the bill, it will be sent to the President, who can either sign it into law or veto it.
Advocacy Opportunity
Educational‑technology stakeholders who oppose cutting off‑campus hotspot support can voice their concerns. CoSN has created an easy‑to‑use portal for contacting members of Congress: https://cosn.quorum.us/campaign/109495/
The Senate’s approval of the motion to proceed marks an important first step, but it is just the beginning of a long legislative journey. The bill still faces further debate, potential amendments, and final passage in both the Senate and the House. Until those steps are completed and the President signs the bill, we remain a long way off from it being enacted into law.
NOTE: On‑campus Wi‑Fi networks and equipment remain fully eligible for E‑rate funding; S.J. Res. 7 only targets off‑campus hotspot‑lending programs.
