NaLA asks the Supreme Court to reverse Fifth Circuit’s Decision on USF
On January 16, 2025 NaLA, joined by the AARP and AARP Foundation, submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in support of the Universal Service Fund (USF) and its funding mechanism. The brief urged the court to reverse the Fifth Circuit’s decision last year to strike down the USF. If the Supreme Court upholds this decision, this would shutter the Lifeline program.
Ending Lifeline would seriously harm low-income and older Americans who depend on this broadband subsidy to access healthcare, social connections, employment, education, e-commerce and government services and benefits by:
- Driving up the cost of healthcare and government services
- Reducing economic output made possible through employment, online learning and e-commerce
- Adversely impacting public safety and access to 911 emergency services
The loss of Lifeline would also affect the small businesses that serve Lifeline customers, including the member companies of the National Lifeline Association (NaLA).
The FCC has taken meaningful steps to oversee the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and the Lifeline program with more guardrails and a 2024 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report confirmed that USAC is complying.
NaLA, AARP and AARPF firmly believe that to avoid deepening the digital divide, SCOTUS should reverse the Fifth Circuit’s decision.
You can read submitted amici cuiae here, which include NaLA, AARP and the AARPF’s full arguments.
