Washington, D.C. - Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) issued the following joint statement today after news that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai directed the immediate transfer of the Universal Service Fund to the U.S. Treasury:
“Earlier this year we asked the Government Accountability Office to assess what would happen if reports were true that Trump’s FCC planned to move the $8 billion a year Universal Service Fund. We were dismayed to learn from press reports that Chairman Pai unilaterally pressed forward with this plan that will cost recipients tens of millions of dollars a year without the benefit of GAO’s further analysis, without telling his fellow Commissioners, without input from the millions of Americans who depend on these funds, and without notifying Congress. Unfortunately, this action is just the latest evidence of Chairman Pai’s casual disregard for the public’s input and determined avoidance of Congressional oversight."
