Ranking Members Waxman, Eshoo, and DeGette Call For Hearing on Lifeline Program Reforms

House Commerce Committee Ranking Member Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Ranking Member Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO) sent a letter to Chairmen Fred Upton (R-MI), Greg Walden (R-OR), and Tim Murphy (R-PA) requesting a hearing on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Lifeline program, which provides low-income Americans with assistance to receive home phone service.

Since 1985, the Lifeline program has ensured that tens of millions of Americans can call 9-1-1, provide a phone number on a job application, and communicate with family and loved ones. However, policy changes beginning during the Bush Administration have created new risks for waste, fraud, and abuse. Under the Obama Administration, the FCC has initiated reforms to clean up the program. The letter requests a hearing to examine whether these efforts are adequately ensuring the integrity of the Lifeline program.