S.J.Res. 7 explained · 119th Congress · Pending in Congress
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".
Cosponsors: 16 (0 D, 16 R) · per Congress.gov, 2026-10-11
Introduced: 2025-01-27
Latest action (2025-05-09): Held at the desk.
What S.J.Res. 7 does, in plain terms
This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Federal Communications Commission titled Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program and published on August 20, 2024. The rule permits schools and libraries participating in the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support program (E-Rate) to purchase discounted Wi-Fi hotspots and associated mobile connectivity service for off-premises use by students, school staff, and library patrons. Under the rule, E-Rate participants must implement acceptable use policies that require hotspots to be used primarily for educational purposes.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service, via Congress.gov.
Constitution Index
“VFA Constitution grade”
Constitutionally sound
Graded 2026-10-08
SI-generated grade · five published checks · not individually reviewed by a person · methodology
SJRES 7 is a constitutional use of congressional oversight to nullify an agency expansion of federal support, imposing no rights burden and returning connectivity choices to individuals, local bodies, and states.
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✓ Passes · Enumerated powers
SJRES 7 is an exercise of Congress's legislative and oversight authority under Article I, Section 1 and Article I, Section 7, through the Congressional Review Act. Rather than asserting new federal power, it disapproves a Federal Communications Commission rule that extended subsidized E-Rate support beyond school and library premises. That restraint is consistent with the limits of Article I, Sect… -
✓ Passes · Bill of Rights
This resolution restricts no speech, religion, press, assembly, arms, search, trial, or other protected right under Amendments 1-10. It nullifies a Federal Communications Commission rule and thereby removes a federal condition on hotspot use, including the required acceptable-use policy tied to First Amendment activity and Fourth Amendment device tracking concerns. No provision of the First throug… -
✓ Passes · Individual sovereignty
The resolution imposes no new restraint on person, property, speech, labor, or belief. It removes a federally conditioned benefit that required hotspots be used primarily for educational purposes under an agency-approved acceptable-use policy. Individuals, parents, students, and library patrons retain full liberty to obtain connectivity on their own terms, with no compelling justification needed b… -
✓ Passes · Decentralization
The resolution moves authority downward. (1) Families and individuals can obtain mobile connectivity directly. (2) Local schools and libraries can fund hotspots locally. (3) States can support off-premises student connectivity without federal direction. (4) It does not consolidate power upward; it reverses a federal expansion of the E-Rate program and preserves reserved powers under the Tenth Amen… -
✓ Passes · Due process and takings
No person is deprived of life, liberty, or property, and no property is taken for public use under the Fifth Amendment. The resolution uses the lawful Congressional Review Act process under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, with bicameral consideration and presentment under Article I, Section 7, providing fair notice and proper procedure. It imposes no penalty, seizure, or compelled transf…
Sources: Congress.gov: SJRES 7 summary
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