# Democrats Try To Ban Internet Shutoffs Until Pandemic Is Over 

**URL:** <https://onehack.st/t/democrats-try-to-ban-internet-shutoffs-until-pandemic-is-over/86264>\
**Category:** News & Articles\
**Tags:** technology, news\
**Created:** [May 13, 2020, 10:14am UTC](https://onehack.st/t/democrats-try-to-ban-internet-shutoffs-until-pandemic-is-over/86264 "2020-05-13T10:14:35Z")\
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**Author:** ![Prometheus](https://onehack.st/user_avatar/onehack.st/prometheus/32/34950_2.png) [@Prometheus](https://onehack.st/u/Prometheus)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 10:14am UTC](https://onehack.st/t/democrats-try-to-ban-internet-shutoffs-until-pandemic-is-over/86264/1 "2020-05-13T10:14:35Z")

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An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica:

_A proposed U.S. law [would make it illegal for telecom providers to terminate Internet or phone service](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2020/05/democrats-try-to-ban-internet-shutoffs-until-pandemic-is-over/) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The [bill](https://www.merkley.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Connect%20At%20Home%20Act%2020.05.12.pdf) was submitted in the Senate today by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). “Now – as millions of Americans hunker down, work from home, and engage in remote learning – would be the absolute worst time for Americans to lose a critical utility like Internet service,” Merkley said in an [announcement](https://www.merkley.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-colleagues-continue-to-lead-charge-to-protect-consumers-from-internet-shut-offs-during-pandemic-2020)._

 

_Separately, House Democratic leadership today unveiled a [$3 trillion relief package](https://thehill.com/homenews/house/497350-read-house-democrats-3-trillion-coronavirus-relief-package) that includes at least $4 billion for an “emergency broadband connectivity fund.” That money, if approved, would be given to ISPs that provide discounts to low-income households and people who lose their jobs. Subsidies would be up to $50 a month for most low-income households and up to $75 for households in tribal areas. Another $1.5 billion would be allotted to Wi-Fi hotspots and other telecom equipment for schools and libraries. The relief package also includes a provision that “prohibits telephone and broadband service providers from stopping service to consumers unable to pay during the duration of the emergency,” [according to House Democrats](https://energycommerce.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/energy-and-commerce-committee-works-to-keep-americans-online-during-covid-19)._