Supreme Court Argument Highlights Needs for USF Reform, Says ITIF

WASHINGTON—Following the Supreme Court’s oral argument on the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund (USF) which opponents argue usurps authority that belongs to Congress. In response to today’s hearing, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, released the following statement from Joe Kane, Director of Broadband and Spectrum Policy:

"Everyone agrees the Universal Service Fund is in need of reform, and today's oral argument suggests it may have to come sooner rather than later.With many justices skeptical of the constitutionality of USF, the Supreme Court could invalidate the structure of the program in the coming months. Rather than gambling with broadband subsidies, Congress should enact common sense reforms to focus federal broadband subsidies on the real causes of the digital divide, including digital literacy and affordability, and directly appropriate funds for those efforts. These steps would moot the Supreme Court case and make USF more effective."

Contact: Austin Slater, [email protected]