End Taxpayer Funded Cell Phones Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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Mr. TAKANO. I thank the ranking member from New Jersey for the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 5525, a bill that undermines the Lifeline program and demonstrates the majority's continued indifference to the struggle of low-income Americans.

The Lifeline program helps 9.8 million people across this country access cell phone service which, as we all know, is a necessity for modern everyday life. For decades, helping struggling Americans access basic technology was a bipartisan initiative. It was started under President Reagan, and then expanded under President George W. Bush. I am surprised and disappointed that my Republican colleagues have chosen today to end that tradition of bipartisanship on behalf of struggling families.

Let's be clear, a vote for this bill is a vote to take critical devices away from people who need them the most. We are taking service away from older Americans who use it to manage their health care and call their loved ones. We are taking service away from students who use cell data to do their homework. We are taking service away from victims of domestic violence who use it to get help and support. We are taking service away from unemployed workers who use it to find a good-paying job. Most importantly, we are taking devices out of the hands of Americans who use Lifeline to call 911 during an emergency.

Why?

The majority says it will save consumers money, but the way that the bill is written, it will not save a dime for consumers or American taxpayers. We continue to collect the fees, but we do not provide Lifeline services. This legislation will do one thing and only one thing: Make it harder for low-income Americans to get back on their feet.

I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 5525.

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