Chairman Walden Proposes Cap on Universal Service Fund; Consultation with State USF Experts on Expansion Proposals

House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Acting Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn regarding the Universal Service Fund (USF) and proposals to expand the program.

The USF, funded by a charge on consumers’ phone bills, is currently uncapped, leaving it vulnerable to endless expansion at the expense of ratepayers. In light of the current economic environment, Chairman Walden suggested that instead of expanding the program with a blank check, Acting Chairwoman Clyburn should cap the fund and if expansion is deemed necessary, work with the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service to find ways to do so under the funding cap.