Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4275, the Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act, which was unanimously reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

The FCC currently administers two subsidy programs to help low-income Americans get connected, the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program. The FCC uses criteria such as household income or participation in other Federal subsidy programs to determine eligibility.

The FCC's inspector general identifies fraud and risk in certain qualifying programs, highlighting the importance of congressional oversight.

H.R. 4275 will help provide Congress with important information regarding how low-income Americans qualify for these programs as we continue our oversight duties.

Specifically, this bill will require the FCC to report to Congress on which eligibility criteria Americans use to qualify for the lifeline of affordable connectivity programs. In carrying out this report, the FCC will be limited to using existing data they currently can access to verify eligibility. It also requires the FCC to report on the outreach and publicity efforts to promote enrollment in these programs.

This legislation is an important first step toward oversight of the FCC and its administration of these programs.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time. General Leave

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