USF

Ajit Pai: Congress Should Fund the USF

Congress would have to act in order for tech companies to be assessed, said Pai

Ari Bertenthal

Nov 21, 2024 — 2 min read

Screenshot of former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai speaking at the Broadband Leaders Summit

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2024 – A former Federal Communications Commission chairman said Congress should fund the $8.1 billion Universal Service Fund through annual appropriations.

“I do think that the time has come for Congress to shift this to a general appropriation,” said Ajit Pai, FCC chairman from 2017 to 2021. “[If USF were funded by appropriation] we wouldn’t have this situation now where we’re essentially getting more and more money from a declining base of contributors.”

Pai, a Republican, stated his support for Congressional appropriations for the USF during a discussion with Ready Founder and CEO Jase Wilson.

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USF Ajit Pai Congress FCC Broadband Leaders Summit Ready Jase Wilson USAC Ted Cruz Senate Commerce Committee NTCA Bob Latta Donald Trump Brendan Carr

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