House Democrats are pushing to include more than $1 billion in the next economic relief package to help pay low-income Americans’ broadband bills, five telecom industry sources familiar with the effort say.
Democrats are said to be considering whether to distribute the aid through the Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline program, which provides monthly discounts of $9.25 for about 7 million low-income subscribers, or through a new broadband subsidy program, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the effort.
The push is aimed at helping millions of low-income Americans and newly unemployed workers afford internet services ...