Ted Cruz (R-TX)
A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program".
A Republican resolution with 16 Republican cosponsors · See all 16 cosponsors
Last activity — Held at the desk.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate 50–38
- Awaiting House
What this bill would do
This joint resolution seeks to exercise congressional disapproval of a specific rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission. The rule in question is titled ``Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program'' and was published in the Federal Register on August 20, 2024. By passing this resolution, Congress intends to render that specific rule as having no force or effect. The resolution was passed by the Senate on May 8, 2025.
Yes
- Scored +1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The resolution prevents the implementation of a specific FCC rule, which avoids the associated federal spending through the E-Rate program.
The opposite· 3 of 7
- Scored -2
Would children be better off under this?
The resolution reverses a rule aimed at closing the homework gap, which negatively impacts students' access to digital learning tools.
- Scored -2
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The nullification of the rule limits the expansion of digital connectivity resources intended for low-income families.
- Scored -2
Would students be better off under this?
The disapproval of the E-Rate rule reduces the potential for expanded internet access for students needing to bridge the homework gap.
What Congress actually voted on
2 recorded votes have been taken on this bill. One of them decided something; the rest moved it along.
- The Senate: the vote on whether to pass the joint resolution A joint resolution is a bill by another name: it goes to the other chamber and then to the President. Most of them are used to overturn a rule an agency has made. Passed 50 yes · 38 no
05/08/2025 · Roll call 238 · recorded as “On the Joint Resolution S.J.Res. 7”
- The Senate: a vote on whether to start debating something This decides only whether the chamber takes the measure up at all. Nothing about the measure itself has been decided when it passes. Motion to Proceed Agreed to 53 yes · 47 no
05/06/2025 · Roll call 235 · recorded as “On the Motion to Proceed S.J.Res. 7”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- There are no specific positive impacts or benefits for individuals or groups of people explicitly detailed within the provided text.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- There are no specific negative impacts or burdens for individuals or groups of people explicitly detailed within the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The resolution reverses a rule aimed at closing the homework gap, which negatively impacts students' access to digital learning tools. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The nullification of the rule limits the expansion of digital connectivity resources intended for low-income families. Would students be better off under this? — The disapproval of the E-Rate rule reduces the potential for expanded internet access for students needing to bridge the homework gap. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The removal of the FCC rule limits federal efforts to provide connectivity tools that may benefit various residential areas.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The resolution nullifies an FCC rule designed to increase internet accessibility for students via the E-Rate program.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The resolution prevents the implementation of a specific FCC rule, which avoids the associated federal spending through the E-Rate program.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The resolution uses congressional oversight to strip the FCC of its newly implemented rule regarding the E-Rate program.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By nullifying the E-Rate rule intended to address the homework gap, the resolution removes a mechanism meant to provide digital resources to low-income populations.
- 5/9/2025
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 5/8/2025
- Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S2807, S2813)
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 38. Record Vote Number: 238.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 38. Record Vote Number: 238. (text: CR S2813)
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 5/6/2025
- Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 47. Record Vote Number: 235.
- Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S2770-2772)
- 3/5/2025
- Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation discharged, by petition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 802(c).
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 24.
- 2/26/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 2/10/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 1/27/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 12 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Jim BanksRepublican · Indiana
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Shelley CapitoRepublican · West Virginia
John CurtisRepublican · Utah
Joni ErnstRepublican · Iowa
Deb FischerRepublican · Nebraska
James JusticeRepublican · West Virginia
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
James LankfordRepublican · Oklahoma
Jerry MoranRepublican · Kansas
Eric SchmittRepublican · Missouri
Tim SheehyRepublican · Montana
John ThuneRepublican · South Dakota
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi
Todd YoungRepublican · Indiana