On March 26, 2025, the Supreme Court heard from advocates and critics regarding the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund (USF). Earlier this year, NaLA, joined by the AARP and AARP Foundation, submitted an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in support of the USF and its funding mechanism. The brief urged the court to reverse the Fifth Circuit’s decision last year to strike down the USF, which would shutter the Lifeline program and others.

The following statement can be attributed to David B. Dorwart, Chair, National Lifeline Association (NaLA):

“Today’s oral argument before the SCOTUS emphasized the impact losing the Universal Service Fund would have on the millions of low-income Americans who rely on affordable broadband to access healthcare, work, schooling, and more. Without Lifeline, these services become unaffordable for many low-income and older Americans. The loss of Lifeline would not only affect these households who rely on USF to access essential communications services but also the small businesses that serve Lifeline customers, including NaLA’s member companies. NaLA firmly believes in the constitutionality of the USF funding mechanism. A SCOTUS decision affirming the same and overturning Fifth Circuit’s decision is necessary to avoid disconnecting low-income Americans from essential communications needed to function in today’s society.”