A longstanding federal program that funds school and library internet access surfaced as a point of policy disagreement in a race otherwise framed around age and generational change.
Sen. Ed Markey framed E-Rate as a major achievement, citing roughly $80 billion in spending since 1996 and current annual support of about $2.4 billion.
Rep. Seth Moulton accepted the need for connectivity but argued policymakers must pair access with stronger protections for children online.
Recent polling showed Markey with a substantial lead: 60% to 32% in an August UMass Amherst/WCVB poll of likely Democratic primary voters.
E-Rate Takes Center Stage in Markey-Moulton Senate Primary in Massachusetts WASHINGTON, Aug. 31, 2026 — A federal broadband program aimed at connecting schools and libraries has become an unlikely point of contention in the Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary, as voters prepare to choose between incumbent Sen. During an August debate, he cited roughly $80 billion in E-Rate spending since the program was established under the 1996 telecom act.
is leading China in the development of AI and 'frankly, I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI wins' Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei Says AI Industry Needs to Slow Down for Safety Amodei warned on Saturday that AI could be capable within six to 12 months of leading a swarm that could take over the entire internet. E-Rate currently provides about $2.4 billion annually to help schools and libraries obtain internet connectivity. The disagreement gives broadband policy an unusual role in a Senate primary that has otherwise focused heavily on age, technology, ideology and the candidates' records.
The candidates have clashed over the Federal Communications Commission's E-Rate program, with Markey pointing to the program as a major accomplishment of his telecommunications career and Moulton arguing that expanding internet access must be accompanied by stronger protections for children online. Sign Up for FREE for Section A Sign Up for FREE for Section A The primary pits Markey, who is 80 years old and seeking a third full Senate term, against Moulton, a five-term congressman who at age 47 has made generational change a central theme of his campaign. Markey has highlighted the scale of E-Rate's investment.
Sen. Ed Markey faces Congressman Seth Moulton in the Massachusetts Senate primary. Both candidates have similar progressive platforms.
Senator Edward Markey, who began his congressional career in 1976, faces a challenge from Representative Seth Moulton.
Younger centrist Seth Moulton and older progressive Ed Markey are fighting for the Senate nomination in the Massachusetts Democratic primary. CBS News congressional reporter Taurean Small has more.
Massachusetts Democrats head to the polls Tuesday in a Senate primary that could reshape the party's future. Will generational change win out? 🗳пёЏ
A pro-E-Rate group said it was prepared to litigate if funding was reduced.
Sen. Ed Markey, 80, defeated Rep. Seth Moulton, 47, who had attempted to argue that it was time to do away with the "status quo" in his pursuit to oust the octogenarian.
Loading more related stories...
Open the app view to save this story, compare related coverage, and continue from the same source.