Telecommunications

Supporting Broadband Subsidies for Communities in Need

Low-income communities around the country rely on programs underwritten by the federal Universal Service Fund (USF) to access communications services they need to fully participate in society. But in an important case before the 5th Circuit, certain groups challenged the USF’s funding mechanism as unconstitutional.

MaryAnn Almeida, David Gossett, and Thaila Sundaresan filed an amicus brief on behalf of a bipartisan group of elected members of Congress in support of the USF, explaining that members of Congress carefully set up the program to address pressing needs and that a ruling dismantling the program would have catastrophic effects on constituents nationwide. In March of this year, the appellate court ruled in favor of the USF supporters.