Despite bipartisan support in enacting the bill, Congress has never backed up that commitment. "It still has not been funded," Crittendon notes. UNCF sees some hope in the 2010 appropriations bill just written by the House and Senate. While there is no direct funding, Crittendon says language in the bill urges the federal government to find funding within its new budget or through the Recovery Act, the economic stimulus bill that has plowed millions of dollars into broadband technology initiatives.
Based on this language, UNCF has a powerful argument to make to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the agency that would house the digital wireless program. "This is important to continue to build the capacity of HBCUs," she added.
Student protections: USSA is pushing Congress to approve legislation on a new U.S. consumer agency that would oversee, among other items, the private student loan industry. Of particular concern to the student group are so-called "gap loans" issued by for-profit colleges to cover the difference between tuition and a student's ability to pay. "These loans are risky and have an enormous default rate," Stillwell says.
A House committee has approved the bill to create the Consumer Financial Protection Agency and more action is likely in 2010.
