[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   FCC'S ROLE IN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN L. MICA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 11, 1998

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, one of the intended outcomes of the 
Telecommunications Act of 1996 was that telecommunications services 
would be universally available at reasonable and affordable prices. To 
ensure that would happen, the Act provided for all telecommunications 
carriers to contribute to a universal fund subsidy. The FCC's attempts 
to implement this portion of the bill have been at best ineffective. 
Until the FCC begins to seriously take steps to ensure support of rural 
and residential service, we cannot consider this part of the job 
finished.
  Another responsibility of the FCC, as set forth in the 
Telecommunications Act, was to implement a program assisting schools, 
libraries and health care facilities in entering the information age. 
However, Congress did not intend for this to be a tax and grant 
program. The entire issue of how the FCC is implementing this program 
is now being considered by Congressional committees. I am concerned 
that the FCC did not adequately consider the negative impact on the 
consumer or Congressional intent before implementing this program.
  The FCC must understand that their role is not to rewrite the Act, 
but to implement the Act as it was written.

                          ____________________