[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 29 (Thursday, February 15, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2038-S2039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ROCKEFELLER (for himself and Ms. Snowe):
  S. 609. A bill to amend section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 
to provide that funds received as universal service contributions and 
the universal service support programs established pursuant to that 
section are not subject to certain provisions of title 31, United 
States Code, commonly known as the Antideficiency Act; to the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, today I join with my colleagues, 
Senator Olympia Snowe and Vice-Chairman Ted Stevens, to re-introduce 
the Antideficiency Act to protect the Universal Service Program.
  This is a bipartisan effort to ensure that all of the fundamental 
universal service program can continue to operate smoothly and 
effectively. Last year, this legislation garnered the support of 55 
members, and I hope that it will gain additional support in the 110th 
Congress. It is also important to note that the House also has a 
similar bipartisan legislation.
  For many years, I have fought hard for universal service, including 
the E-Rate. It is essential for all of the universal service programs 
to operate in a timely manner.
  The Universal Service Fund is accomplishing its mission. Our country 
has a strong telecommunications network, and rural customers are 
getting service at affordable rates. Lifeline and Linkup programs help 
the poorest of customers keep basic telephone access which is essential 
in our modern world. Rural health care is helping connect our rural 
clinics to modern medicine and specialists.
  Over the past decade, the E-Rate discounts have helped to connect our 
classrooms and our libraries to the Internet and modern technology. In 
1996, when the Telecommunications Act passed, only 14 percent of 
classrooms were connected, and just 5 percent of the poorest classrooms 
were connected. The latest data is encouraging with 93 percent of all 
classrooms connected and 89 percent of the poorest classrooms 
connected. Since 1998, West Virginia schools and libraries have 
received over $70 million in E-Rate discounts. While this is 
extraordinary success, the need for E-Rate discounts remains because 
schools and libraries

[[Page S2039]]

face monthly telecommunication costs and Internet access fees. Every 
school and library will periodically need to upgrade its internal 
connections.
  This legislation gives the Universal Service Fund a permanent 
exemption from the Antideficiency Act. Over the last few years, we have 
done one year exemptions. It makes good sense to enact a long term 
solution for the Universal Service Fund.
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