House Communications Subcommittee Approves Lifeline CURB Act

A divided House Communications Subcommittee approved by a vote of 17 to 11 the CURB Lifeline Act (HR 4884) along with a handful of other communications-related bills. The Lifeline CURB Act caps the Lifeline fund at its current $1.5 billion annually—the Federal Communications Commission voted to increase the subsidy to $2.25 billion and even a Republican-backed compromise would have raised it to $2 billion. It would also prevent the subsidy—which is $9.25 per month—from being used for a cell phone or other device and would also end voice-only mobile service subsidies—the FCC proposals phases out voice-only mobile over several years and even then allows for extending that if necessary.

The bill passed after lengthy debate along party lines and after a series of amendments from Democratic Reps were voted down. Democratic Reps do not want the program cut or capped, saying it could adversely impact broadband adoption for seniors, veterans, and low-income families. One Democratic amendment was adopted. It required the FCC Comptroller General to study whether a cap on the fund discourages waste, fraud and abuse. April 19’s vote is just the first step in what could be a long partisan path. The House must wait until mid-May to begin debating appropriations bills, so it’s not hard to imagine a full committee vote next, followed by a floor vote. (There has been no announcement to that effect from House GOP leaders.) If the bill made it through the House, the Senate would move slower. But there appears to be willingness among Republicans to consider putting some pressure back on the independent agency. “We don’t like where the FCC is headed,” Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) said.