Lawmakers Press FCC on USF, E‑Rate Changes, Emergency Alerts and Rural Broadband

A large portion of the Energy and Commerce oversight hearing focused on consumer programs and public‑safety communications.

Lawmakers from both parties asked about the Universal Service Fund’s sustainability and how reforms will ensure funds reach intended beneficiaries. Chairman Carr and Commissioner Trustee described engagement with a bicameral working group to study long‑term USF reform; Trustee said the agency is making process improvements to programs like the rural health care (RHC) program and rolling over unused funds to meet demand.

Representative Castor, Representative Tonko and others criticized the FCC for reversing E‑Rate decisions that expanded Wi‑Fi on school buses and hotspot lending, calling such rollbacks harmful to students and low‑income families. Commissioner Gomez said the changes removed valuable tools and warned that losing hotspot and bus Wi‑Fi "means students can't do... their homework." She urged Congress to act to protect affordability programs.

Public‑safety topics included NG911 resilience and next‑generation wireless alerts. Carr said the FCC is reviewing the alert system and seeking a principles‑based redesign, while Gomez and others urged faster deployment of multilingual emergency alerts in advance of large events.

Members also raised enforcement and accountability for failed broadband promises under programs like RDOF and asked what steps the FCC is taking to hold vendors accountable. Carr said enforcement matters are ongoing and that the agency will work with NTIA and Commerce to coordinate funding and remediation.

No concrete programmatic rule changes were voted on during the hearing; members requested additional written answers and documentation.