Rep. Stupak predicts no changes to Universal Service Fund will occur in 2010

Speaking to the American Cable Association on Tuesday, Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) predicted lawmakers would not follow through on their plans this year to create a fund that would expand broadband access nationwide. Why? Senate inaction.

"[House Communications ] Chairman Boucher may disagree with me, but given the short legislative calendar, I do not believe we will enact USF reform this Congress, but that legislative action will be completed next year," concluded Rep Stupak, the chairman of the House Rural Caucus' task force on telecommunications. Despite Stupak's assertion, efforts remain underway -- notably at the Federal Communications Commission -- to transform the Universal Service Fund into something that permits that money to be used for broadband expansion.