FCC Investigating Lifeline Providers as Advocates, Dems Push Back Against Increased ID Verification
The agency is set to vote Wednesday on a proposal that would seek comment on increased verification measures for the program.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2026 – The Federal Communications Commission said Tuesday it was investigating “an initial group” of companies for potentially defrauding its subsidy program for low-income mobile subscribers.
The announcement comes one day before the agency is set to vote on a proposal that would seek comment on increasing eligibility requirements for its Lifeline program, a move advocacy groups sought to persuade the agency against in meetings last week.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has accused California of being too lax with Lifelife verification – the state, along with Texas and Oregon, has used its own system rather than the federal one used by other states – and sparred with California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) over the issue. In a statement Tuesday, Carr did not indicate he was persuaded by the concerns of advocates and Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez.
