Senator Markey Leads Colleagues in Urging FCC to Reject Plans that Imperil the Universal Service Fund

Sen Ed Markey (D-MA) and 29 other senators wrote a letter to the Federal Communications Commission requesting that the agency discard any plans for setting an overall cap for the Universal Service Fund (USF) programs. "Such a proposal would harm broadband deployment, rural health care opportunities, classroom learning, and life-long learning through public libraries by forcing them to compete in order to receive necessary funds. The USF programs have been key to moving the country toward the goal of universal connectivity throughout America and placing an overall cap on the USF programs would threaten this necessary progress." The senators concluded by writing, "We strongly urge the Commission to abide by its statutory commitment to students, health care providers, librarians, and those in rural communities."