WASHINGTON—The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling today in FCC v. Consumers’ Research, and Schools and Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition v. Consumers’ Research.
The following statement was issued by Gillian Cassell-Stiga, senior counsel of the Digital Justice Initiative at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law:
“This ruling is a win for millions of Americans. Today, the internet is a key gateway to opportunity, and equitable access is a civil rights issue. Access to reliable and affordable high-speed broadband is absolutely critical. Millions of Americans do not have home internet access. This excludes them from equitable access to health care, education, and work—and it reflects a legacy of underinvestment in necessary and updated infrastructure in communities of color and low-income areas.”
“The bipartisan mandate for universal service exists in longstanding legislation that has survived across decades. The Lawyers’ Committee celebrates this win and will continue to endeavor to ensure that programs expanding access, service, and opportunity will address the needs of communities of color and other communities too long excluded.”
Background:
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of a diverse group of civil rights and nonprofit organizations defending the constitutionality of the FCC’s Universal Service Fund, a $8 billion program that supports broadband infrastructure and Internet access for underserved communities, schools, libraries, and health providers.
The Lawyers’ Committee submitted the brief with Access Now, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Japanese American Citizens League, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), National Action Network, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, National Council of Negro Women, National Urban League, UnidosUS, and United Church of Christ Media Justice Ministry.
