Senators Snowe, Klobuchar, and McCaskill Express Concerns over FCC's Hurried Decision Making

Press Release

Senators seek extended time for public review and commentary on proposals before FCC votes on November 4th

As the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prepares to make major changes to the telecommunications industry next week, Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) yesterday posed serious concerns regarding a proposal to reform the Universal Service Fund (USF) and Intercarrier Compensation (ICC) rules and the process the Commission is using to consider it. In a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, the Senators assert that the November 4th vote on USF and ICC proposals must be postponed to allow adequate time for public comment on the proposed changes which could have a major impact on telecommunications providers across the country.

"It is incomprehensible that the FCC would hastily determine the future of the Universal Service Fund without sufficient time for review by the public," Senator Snowe said. "Rural carriers in Maine depend on the USF and ICC to provide telephone and wireless services to remote areas and rash overhauls of these programs could place costly burdens on consumers, not to mention possible service setbacks. The need to reform the USF and the ICC is indisputable but we must ensure that we enact thoughtful and effective improvements, not just reform for the sake of reform mainly if it ends up to the detriment of rural areas, where the digital divide continues to exist."

Senator McCaskill said: "This vote should not go forward. Transparency is key to creating good and reasonable policies, and the commission is once again failing the public by clinging to secrecy and back room deal making. Our nation's consumers deserve an upfront and open process."

"The stakes are too high for the FCC to rush to a judgment that could have serious consequences for Minnesotans," said Klobuchar. "While I understand the need for comprehensive reform of these areas, we must do so in a balanced way that does not ultimately harm consumers."

The FCC proposal under consideration would make major changes to the Universal Service Fund, a federal program that supports telecommunications service in rural and poor communities through a surcharge on phone bills. It would also make changes to intercarrier compensation rules, which dictate the charges that one carrier pays to another carrier to originate, transport, and/or terminate telecommunications traffic.

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