Congresswoman Matsui Applauds FCC Vote to Expand Lifeline for Broadband

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Thursday, June 18, 2015

CONTACT: JULIE EDDY

(202) 225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui Applauds FCC Vote to Expand Lifeline for Broadband

Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-CA) issued the following statement regarding a vote by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to modernize the Lifeline program.

"I applaud the FCC for voting to modernize the Lifeline program for broadband. This is the future and we should not look back. The Lifeline program provides a tangible service to lower-income Americans and it is imperative that it be reformed and modernized to account for broadband services. We must ensure lower-income Americans have a greater opportunity to participate in the digital economy, whether it be for workforce training, education, finding a job, or developing the next big idea. I applaud the FCC for moving forward with reform measures to modernize the Lifeline program for the 21st Century."

On June 1, 2015, Congresswoman Doris Matsui, along with Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J) introduced legislation to reform and modernize the Universal Service Fund (USF) Lifeline Assistance Program by allowing for broadband Internet services to be available to eligible households . The Broadband Adoption Act of 2015 will instruct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a broadband Lifeline Assistance program and will help bridge the digital divide by making in-home online services more affordable across the country.

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