Commissioner Gomez on FCC Plan to Raise Phone and Internet Bills

At a time when millions of families are already struggling with the rising cost of living and the loss of the Affordable Connectivity Program, the Federal Communications Commission should be focused on making connectivity more affordable, not erecting new barriers that risk raising phone and internet bills for the people who can least afford it. While I support efforts to protect the integrity and success of the Lifeline program, this proposal goes well beyond that goal. By proposing to use the same cruel and punitive eligibility standards recently imposed for Medicaid coverage, the FCC risks excluding large numbers of eligible households, including seniors, people with disabilities, rural residents, and Tribal communities, from a proven lifeline that millions rely on to stay connected to work, school, health care, and emergency services. These proposed changes are especially shortsighted in the aftermath of the lapse of the Affordable Connectivity Program, when affordability remains one of the most significant barriers to closing the digital divide. Instead of pursuing policies that could leave millions without support, we should be working together on bipartisan solutions that strengthen oversight while preserving access for those who rely on this program. Connectivity should be treated as an essential service and not be used as a political tool. As the FCC moves forward with this proposal, my focus will continue to be on ensuring that our policies expand opportunity, lower costs, and keep families connected.