[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 175 (Monday, November 14, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H8471-H8472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ENSURING PHONE AND INTERNET ACCESS THROUGH LIFELINE AND AFFORDABLE
CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM ACT OF 2022
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 4275) to provide for certain reports on enrollment in the
Lifeline program, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4275
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Ensuring Phone and Internet
Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program
Act of 2022''.
SEC. 2. REPORTS ON ENROLLMENT IN CERTAIN PROGRAMS.
(a) Annual Report on Enrollment in Lifeline and Affordable
Connectivity Programs Through Qualifying Programs.--Not later
than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and
annually thereafter for 2 calendar years after the calendar
year during which the first report is submitted under this
subsection, the Commission shall submit to Congress a report
on--
(1) enrollment in the Lifeline program by individuals
participating in each of the Lifeline qualifying programs,
broken out by each of the Lifeline qualifying programs, to
the extent the Commission holds or has access to the
necessary data relating to such enrollment; and
(2) enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program by
individuals participating in each of the Affordable
Connectivity Program qualifying programs, broken out by each
of the Affordable Connectivity Program qualifying programs,
to the extent the Commission holds or has access to the
necessary data relating to such enrollment.
(b) GAO Study and Report on Efforts To Promote Enrollment
in Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Programs.--Not later
than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a
report to Congress identifying outreach and publicity efforts
to promote participation and enrollment in the Lifeline
program and, separately, the Affordable Connectivity Program.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Affordable connectivity program qualifying program.--
The term ``Affordable Connectivity Program qualifying
program'' means the programs set forth in paragraphs (1),
(3), (4), and (6) of section 54.1800(j) of title 47, Code of
Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
(2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal
Communications Commission.
(3) Lifeline qualifying program.--The term ``Lifeline
qualifying program'' means the programs set forth in
subsections (a)(2) and (b) of section 54.409 of title 47,
Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4275, the Ensuring
Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity
Program Act of 2022.
Congress has long recognized the critical importance of ensuring that
everyone in this country can access basic communication tools. Indeed,
this body wisely included as a cornerstone of the Communications Act
the directive that rapid, efficient, and nationwide communications
service must be available to ``all people of the United States, without
discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin,
or sex.'' The Communications Act also said that all Americans must have
access to adequate facilities and reasonable charges.
There are two programs, the Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity
Program, that play a critical role in helping us advance these long-
held, universal service goals. They move us closer to closing the
digital divide by allowing millions of American families across the
country to fit high-speed broadband internet access into their budgets.
Both programs are effectively targeted to families that need the help
most, including those who are eligible for Medicaid, the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, Bureau of
Indian Affairs General Assistance, and the Veterans and Survivors
Pension benefit.
As we all know too well, a broadband connection is necessary to
participate in our modern economy and society. Families without
broadband are left without equal educational, career, healthcare, and
economic opportunities compared to those with this essential service.
Continuing to strengthen these programs and make them more efficient
and accessible not only benefits those who sign up but all Americans.
That is why I support this bipartisan bill introduced by
Representatives Luria and Katko. It provides us with more transparency
into these programs and can help us better identify opportunities to
maximize their support.
I commend Ranking Member Rodgers and Representative Latta for working
with me to advance this legislation on a bipartisan basis. It advanced
out of the Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously in July by a vote
of 48-0.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to likewise support this
bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4275, the Ensuring Phone
and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity
Program Act, which was unanimously reported out of the Energy and
Commerce Committee.
The FCC currently administers two subsidy programs to help low-income
Americans get connected, the Lifeline program and the Affordable
Connectivity Program. The FCC uses criteria such as household income or
participation in other Federal subsidy programs to determine
eligibility.
The FCC's inspector general identifies fraud and risk in certain
qualifying programs, highlighting the importance of congressional
oversight.
{time} 1615
H.R. 4275 will help provide Congress with important information
regarding how low-income Americans qualify for these programs as we
continue our oversight duties.
Specifically, this bill will require the FCC to report to Congress on
which eligibility criteria Americans use to qualify for the lifeline of
affordable connectivity programs. In carrying out this report, the FCC
will be limited to using existing data they currently can access to
verify eligibility. It also requires the FCC to report on the outreach
and publicity efforts to promote enrollment in these programs.
This legislation is an important first step toward oversight of the
FCC and its administration of these programs.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
General Leave
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 4275.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
[[Page H8472]]
There was no objection.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the
aisle to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4275, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ROSENDALE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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