FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
June 15,2012
JULIUS GENACHOWSKI
CHAIRMAN
The Honorable John F. Kerry
United States Senate
218 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington. D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Kerry:
Thank you for your letter encouraging the Commission to postpone implementation of
the new Lifeline eligibility certification requirements. I value your views and appreciate your
support for the Commission's efforts to eliminate the waste and abuse in this important program.
Your letter will be included in the Lifeline reform proceeding record for Commission
consideration.
As you have noted. the Commission has made some tough choices in reforming the
Lifeline program. In the certification requirement in the Lifeline R~rorl11 Order, the Commission
balanced the urgent need to stern waste and abu e with the potential additional burden on certain
consumers to obtain a Lifeline-supported service. After careful consideration. the Commission
unanimously adopted the eligibility certification requirement as an interim step to verify the
eligibility of all Lifeline recipients while it transitions to a national eligibility database.
Providers have since developed a number of innovative solutions to ensure compliance with the
requirement while minimizing consumer burden, while a national eligibility database is
developed. The savings from the improved accountability among other things. arc allowing the
Commission to lay the groundwork for modernizing the Lifeline program to include broadband
service. which we agree is critical for lo\\-income Americans to benefit from the twenty-first
century economy. Our steps are also ensuring a strong foundation for a strong and lasting
Li feline program.
I look forward to working with you further as the ommission continues its efforts to
advance access to telecommunications and broadband for all Americans. Please let me know if I
can be of any further assistance.
Julius Genaehowski
445 12TH STREET S.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 • 202-418-1000