[Statement] AAPB Statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision Upholding the Constitutionality of the Federal Communications Commission’s Universal Service

This morning, the United States Supreme Court, by a 6-3 vote, ruled that the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC)  Universal Service Fund did not violate the non-delegation doctrine and therefore is constitutional.  

Gigi Sohn, Executive Director of AAPB released the following statement:

The Supreme Court’s decision confirms what we have known for decades: Congress lawfully delegated to the FCC the ability to ensure universal and affordable connectivity through its Universal Service Fund. But as welcome as this decision is, the underlying threat to the Universal Service Fund remains, with the program's funding shrinking by the day. This, along with the expiration of the extremely popular Affordable Connectivity Program, means that the promise of the USF program  - to deliver affordable broadband directly to homes, schools and libraries, and rural communities - remains unfulfilled.

AAPB is encouraged by news that the bipartisan, bicameral USF Working group has been relaunched. But Congress must move quickly and act not only to expand the number of entities contributing to the fund, but also to expand the subsidy to low-income households to, at a minimum, match the $30 per month that the ACP once supported.

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Aaron Alberico

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aalberico@raynoravenue.com