USF Congressional

2024 Co-chairs 

John Windhausen

SHLB Coalition

Kristen Corra

SHLB Coalition

SHLB Staff Contact: John Windhausen and Kristen Corra

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.

November Meeting Summary

November 12, 2024: Members focused on advocacy planning, congressional leadership changes, and potential challenges to USF programs.

  • Advocacy Efforts: A survey will be circulated to recruit Steering Committee members, with a Capitol Hill fly-in day tentatively planned for April or June 2025.

  • Congressional Leadership: Concerns discussed over Ted Cruz potentially chairing the Commerce Committee and his stance on USF funding. Collaboration with allies and showcasing USF benefits to Congress remain priorities.

  • FCC Challenges: Potential reversals on hotspot lending and BEAD program funding under a new Republican-led FCC were highlighted.

  • Next Steps: Members will explore advocacy tutorials and organize lobbying efforts for 2025.

The next USF Congressional Policy Group call is on December 10, 2024.

Full meeting notes for this and prior meetings are available to members here.

Focal areas of the group include:

Judicial

  • Advocating to safeguard the USF against attacks in court. 
  • Showcasing how the E-Rate and Rural Health Care programs have made a positive impact throughout the country

Storytelling

  • Showcasing anchor institutions projects/initiatives that make use of USF funds to serve their constituencies, including the surrounding community. 
  • Educating members of Congress about how the E-Rate and Rural Health Care programs have made a positive impact throughout the country (and what challenges would transpire should these programs be diminished).

Legislative/Congressional

  • Advocating for continued USF funding through predictable means.
  • Identifying and shaping policy solutions that ensure the E-Rate and Rural Health Care programs can continue to function and provide affordable, reliable high-speed broadband solutions to anchor institutions and their communities