House Appropriations Committee Tells FCC To Modernize USF Contributions; Approves $800 Million For USDA ReConnect Program
House Appropriations Committee Approves FCC Budget, Tells Agency To Modernize USF Contributions
July 1, 2021 – The U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriations has approved the fiscal year 2022 Financial Services and General Government funding bill. Among other things, the legislation includes $388 million for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), an increase of $14 million above the FY 2021 enacted level, to support efforts to expand broadband access, improve the security of U.S. telecommunications networks, and administer billions in COVID-19 relief programs. In the report explaining the bill, the Committee provides numerous recommendations to the FCC, including telling the FCC to modernize universal service fund (USF) contributions:
USF Contribution Reform – In recognition of the ongoing rapidly changing communications industry landscape, the Committee believes it is imperative that the FCC work with the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service on recommendations for USF modernization, including contribution reform to ensure the long-term sustainability and viability of the USF programs and resolve inequities in the current contributions structure.
House Appropriations Committee Approves Rural Development Funding Bill - $800 Million For ReConnect Program
July 1, 2021 – The U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriations has approved the fiscal year 2022 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies funding bill. Among other things, the legislation invests over $907 million in the expansion of broadband service, which includes $800 million for the ReConnect program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Broadband ReConnect Loan and Grant Program awards loans and grants to fund the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. A summary of the legislation is available on the Committee’s website.
