Congresswoman Matsui Keynote Remarks during the "National Call on Protecting and Expanding the Lifeline Program"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 12, 2013
CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
(202) 225-7163
Congresswoman Matsui Keynote Remarks during the "National Call on Protecting and Expanding the Lifeline Program"
Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology gave the keynote remarks during the "National Call on Protecting and Expanding the Lifeline Program." She joined California Public Utilities Commissioner Catherine J.K. Sandoval, advocates and experts to discuss the importance of protecting and expanding Lifeline. Her remarks, as prepared for delivery, were:
"As we all know the issue of Lifeline has received special attention in Congress. Let's remember, Lifeline has always enjoyed bipartisan support. It was created during President Reagan's Administration and expanded under President Bush.
"The program provides an affordable form of communications for low income Americans in rural and urban areas.
"However, it has unfortunately, gotten tangled in partisan politics.
"There are thousands of stories about how Lifeline is providing tangible benefits to Americans, including seniors and veterans. I hear many in my district, and many of you that are on the ground are hearing them as well.
"Unfortunately, the reality is that some want to eliminate the mobile lifeline program, and others want to eliminate lifeline altogether. I believe both approaches are unwise, and will undoubtedly take our nation backward.
"I believe we should responsibly expand Lifeline for broadband and help close our nation's digital divide. Lifeline has grown and changed with the times. The Internet is as much a lifeline as the telephone once was.
"There is no doubt we live in the digital andlsquo;Information Age.' Today we rely on the internet for just about everything.
"However, we have a looming digital divide crises that is also an economic competitive issue in our country. The FCC has estimated that nearly 100 million Americans have not yet adopted broadband Internet at home.
"That is truly unacceptable, and why we need a andlsquo;National Broadband Adoption Strategy.'
"As part of the strategy, I believe reforming and modernizing the Universal Service Fund would provide a path to achieve universal broadband adoption.
"That is why, in April, Representatives Henry Waxman, Anna Eshoo, and I introduced the Broadband Adoption Act of 2013, a bill that would responsibly expand Lifeline for broadband, reflecting the digital trends and innovations occurring in society and in the marketplace.
"Moving forward, we must continue to eliminate barriers that prevent Americans from participating in the Internet economy. And we must make it a national priority that no one gets left behind in the global digital economy.
"Moving forward, the attacks on Lifeline, unfortunately, will not stop.
"Therefore, it is important that we continue to show success and share stories about the benefits of Lifeline. You all are doing a tremendous job and I applaud your work and efforts to support Lifeline and its benefits."
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