Chairman Pai's Response to Rep. González-Colón Regarding National Verifier

On Oct 31, 2019, Rep Jennifer González-Colón (D-PR) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai about how the Puerto Rico Telecommunications Bureau (PRTB) filed a waiver request to suspend the requirement that carriers use the National Verifier eligibility determination system for the Lifeline communication services until the new verification program proves operations. The FCC denied the waiver request, and Rep González-Colón, while ultimately supporting the purpose of the National Verifier, urged for reconsideration from the FCC and approve the waiver request. 

On Jan 3, 2020, Chairman Pai responded by saying that while the FCC did not receive a formal waiver request regarding the National Verifier launch in Puerto Rico, FCC staff worked closely with members of the PRTB and carriers in the territory to understand their concerns and answer their questions. Chairman Pai also described how FCC staff has made substantial progress on the issues raised by the PRTB and that "the National Verifier has improved automated eligibility verification for the Lifeline program in Puerto Rico." Chairman Pai concluded by saying that "During the soft launch, FCC staff will continue to closely monitor progress on these issues before announcing the date for the hard launch of the National Verifier in Puerto Rico."