{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=459A0C31-BF64-49E9-98AA-88114C9E8FD4", "Fischer, Colleagues Request FCC Briefing on Universal Service Fund", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "NE", "Deb Fischer", "F000463", "www.fischer.senate.gov", "fischer", "https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-NM), and U.S. Reps. Richard Hudson (R-NC9) and Doris Matsui (D-CA7), sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requesting a briefing to provide insight on the implementation of Congress\u2019 universal service directives and help inform the Working Group\u2019s leadership to modernize the Fund.\n\nFischer, Luj\u00e1n, Hudson, and Matsui announced the reconstitution of the Universal Service Fund Working Group in June.\n\nFull text of the letter is here and below.\n\nDear Chairman Carr, Commissioner Gomez, and Commissioner Trusty:\n\nThe bicameral, bipartisan Universal Service Fund Working Group continues to consider next steps on modernizing, strengthening, and sustaining universal service. In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court\u2019s Federal Communications Commission v. Consumers\u2019 Research decision that upheld the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund (USF) this past summer, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives have been hard at work discussing how best to update the USF programs. It is more essential than ever that we stay aligned on ensuring that the enduring mission of universal service will be fulfilled in the 21st century.\n\nThis fall, our USF Working Group fielded a new slate of comments from a variety of stakeholders on possible reforms to USF programs, and the Working Group is actively reviewing those recommendations. We take this responsibility seriously, recognizing the vital role that USF programs play in ensuring that households, schools, libraries, health care providers, and rural communities across the nation have access to essential communications services.\n\nAs Congress weighs and debates options to reform the USF, the Commission has valuable insights on the implementation of Congress\u2019 universal service directives. Given ongoing discussions about the Fund\u2019s stability, contribution methodology, and long-term policy direction, it is important for our offices to receive updated information directly from Commission staff.\n\nSpecifically, we request a staff-level briefing covering:\n\nThe most recent program outlays and cost projections across each USF program;\n\nAssessment of the USF contribution factor and recent fluctuations;\n\nRulemakings or reforms of USF programs under consideration by the Commission; and\n\nAny administrative challenges, program integrity concerns, or operational updates pertinent to congressional oversight of the Fund.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=459A0C31-BF64-49E9-98AA-88114C9E8FD4"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.318636117503047, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}