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Three Former FCC Commissioners Advocate to Continue E-Rate Program

Commissioners argue necessity of E-Rate program as billions could be on the line.

Corryn D'Attaray

Oct 8, 2026 — 2 min read

Photo from left: Rachelle Chong, Deborah Taylor Tate, and Mignon Clyburn, three former FCC commissioners

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2026 – Three former commissioners of the Federal Communications Commission have passionately affirmed the necessity of $2.4 billion E-Rate program.

At the annual AnchorNets 2026 conference, hosted by the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition, former commissioners attested to the importance E-Rate has for schools, children, and rural communities.

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USF Washington October federal communications commission E-Rate AnchorNets 2026 Schools, Health & Libaries Broadband Coalition FCC Brendan Carr Rachelle Chong Hari Narayanan BroadbandClusters Deborah Taylor Tate President George W. Bush Mignon Clyburn President Barack Obama Battle Group SHLB U.S.

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