Chairman Pai's Response to Members of Congress Regarding Lifeline Support on Tribal Lands

On June 17, 2020, various Members of Congress wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to urge the FCC to implement Lifeline waivers for all Lifeline applicants, as the FCC did for rural Tribal residents in June.

On Aug 18, Chairman Pai responded by saying the June waiver for consumers in rural areas on Tribal lands was implemented based on the unique difficulties in submitting documentation for residents in those remote areas. "We have not seen the same conditions and challenges for consumers in other areas that would necessitate the same waiver, so we have not extended this waiver into non-Tribal and urban areas. Commission staff will continue to monitor the situation and determine whether any additional waivers are needed." Chairman Pai noted that the FCC has issued other waivers that encompassed all Lifeline subscribers or applicants, regardless of their location. In addition to a variety of waivers, Chairman Pai noted the FCC and the Universal Service Administrative Company have also undertaken numerous efforts to promote Lifeline awareness during the pandemic.