USF Congressional

The group serves as a discussion forum to craft and advocate for policies that support the continued flow of funds through the Universal Service Fund to support the needs of anchor institutions and their surrounding communities.

September Meeting Summary

In this meeting, SHLB members discussed the recent meeting with FCC staff, Chairman Carr and Commissioners Trusty and Gomez to advocate for the continued support of the E-Rate and RHC programs, reinforcing prior suggestions made in the "Delete, Delete, Delete" docket. A major focus was opposing the FCC’s proposed moves to overturn school bus Wi-Fi and hotspot lending programs, urging a formal NPRM process to avoid disrupting funding mid-cycle and to protect already-committed 2024 funds. The group emphasized that nearly all of the $48 million allocated for 2024 bus Wi-Fi has been spent, though many invoices remain unpaid due to USAC delays. In parallel, SHLB finalized its USF Working Group comments, reiterating the importance of FCC authority to expand services, aligning with prior positions on contribution reform, and incorporating compelling stories to demonstrate the real-world value of these programs. 

Full meeting notes for this and prior meetings are only available to SHLB  members, and can be accessed here.