Landry Fights Fraud at FCC, Leads Congressmen to End Abuse

Press Release

Fighting to end fraud and abuse within the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Lifeline and Link Up programs, Congressman Jeff Landry (R, LA-03) led a coalition of Representatives in sending a letter to FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski requesting answers on how the FCC is combating the corruption in these programs.

The Lifeline and Link Up programs were initiated to subsidize the cost of telephone hookup and monthly service costs for low-income individuals. With proliferation of cell phones, especially prepaid cell phones, more and more of the funding provided to these programs through the Universal Service Fund is going to subsidize cell phone usage. However, the FCC's oversight of these programs has been lacking, allowing households to receive subsidies for multiple phone lines.

The letter requests a detailed account of the FCC's efforts to enforce the one-phone-per-household rule and an estimate for when the FCC anticipates the elimination of all duplicitous phones.

"Our constituents have brought to our attention anecdotal evidence that the program is providing more than one cell phone to members of the same household and even instances of multiple phones being provided to one individual. As these stories continue to be relayed to us subsequent to the FCC's June report on strengthening enforcement of the one-phone-per-household rule, we would appreciate a detailed account of the success of this renewed emphasis and an estimate for when the FCC anticipates the elimination of all duplicitous phone plans," wrote Landry and his colleagues.

Landry, who has been one of leaders in Congress fighting to end wasteful spending, is dismayed by the FCC's slow response to address the complaints. "There is no reason the FCC should have waited until June of 2011 to realize the growth of the pre-paid wireless industry might result in an increased opportunity for fraud. I will work with my colleagues to ensure all steps are taken by the FCC and Congress to eliminate fraud in the Lifeline and Link Up programs."

Joining Congressman Landry in his letter to the FCC were U.S. Rep. Diane Black (R, TN-06), Rick Crawford (R, AR-01), Tim Huelskamp (R, KS-01), Mike Kelly (R, PA-03), Jack Kingston (R, GA-01), Kenny Marchant (R, TX-24), Mick Mulvaney (R, SC-05), Ron Paul (R, TX-14), and Todd Young (R, IN-09).

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