Lifeline essential to many families

Statement

A recent proposal by the Trump-appointed Federal Communications Commission Chairman could have consequences for 2,200 Lifeline participants in the Marianas. So last week I joined 67 of my House colleagues in sending a letter to FCC Chairman Pai urging withdrawal of this ill-advised proposal regarding the federal program that provides essential phone and Internet services to those who might not be able to pay. The FCC proposal threatens to arbitrarily cap the Lifeline fund and exclude certain carriers, although not IT&E or Docomo, from participating. This could force millions of qualified Lifeline participants to lose their telecommunications services. In the letter, we recommend other ways to combat fraud, waste and abuse other than cutting off millions of people from their "Lifeline".

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