Digital Inclusion

Bill Revoking State-Run Lifeline Eligibility Introduced

The bill could impact Oregon and Texas, the remaining two states with their own Lifeline verification process.

Kelcie Lee

Mar 3, 2026 — 1 min read

Photo of Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 12, 2026 by Tom Brenner/AP.

WASHINGTON, March 3, 2026 – Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, introduced the “No Lifeline for Dead People Act” on Feb. 26 , following months of commentary from Federal Communications Commissioner Chairman Brendan Carr’s on the “waste, fraud, and abuse” within the federal Lifeline program.

Ernst’s bill is aimed at eliminating states’ ability to use its own eligibility process in place of federal verification for Lifeline, a Universal Service Fund subsidy program that helps play monthly phone and internet bills for qualifying low-income applicants.

Lifeline provides $9.25 a month for phone or internet. In 2024, the program cost the USF about $943 million.

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Digital Inclusion Joni Ernst Iowa Brendan Carr Lifeline Universal Service Fund FCC California Texas Oregon No Lifeline for Dead People Act

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