cmnitcd ~rates ~cnatc WASHI NGTON, DC 20510 October 31, 2017 Honorable Ajit Pai, Michael O'Rielly, Mignon Clyburn, Jessica Rosenworcel, Brendan Carr Federal Communicatidns Commission 445 121h Street SW Washington, DC 2055t Dear Commissioners : We applaud the efforts of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to streamline and strengthen the federal High-Cost ~ niversal Service Fund (USF). This program is critical to achieving our shared national broadband gr ls and closing the digital divide. Yet, as we and many others have noted consistently in recent years, a lack of resources to meet these national goals is undej mining investment and consumer access to affordable broadband across much of rural America . For thi j reason, we write to encourage the FCC to take the much-needed step of add ressing this USF b ldget shortfall. Earlier this year, approximately 160 members of Congress raised similar concerns in letters to the FCC. Since these letters were sent, many providers have continued to experience a significant reduction in support. In the ensuinf months, many of us have continued to press the FCC to resolve these concerns. We bel ieve that the Fqc is best positioned to identify a solution to the budget shortfall that is limiting access to reliable and affordable broadband in rural communities . Whiie we recognize that a thoughtful long-term solution to the budget shortfall will take time and effort to identify and assess, lmany of the providers that serve rural consumers and businesses in our states have already begun to feel the pain of an arbitrary budget cap on High-Cost USF support . We urge the FCC to take action as quickly as possible to ensure the High-Cost USF program provides sufficient and predictable support tol help deliver affordable, high-quality broadband to rural consumers. At a minimum, we ask that you ensure that there is no reduction in funds allocated to or collected for the High-Cost program until you have reached a comprehensive solution to High-Cost funding. I Thank you for your commitment to this important program and the millions of rural consumers who benefit from it . We look forward to both quick action and a comprehensive plan that effectively responds to this crisis .I Sincerely, Pat R Je~~:~al r\o..,_, United States Senator United States Sen"aro;J DJJ:. Ta 919 Shelley Moore apito United States Senator Susan Collins "" United States Senator John Cor yn United States Senator Michael F. Bennet United States Senator Joh~ United States Senator Maria Cantwell United States Senator United States Senator Tom Cotton United States Senator United States Senator . ~b-~ 1 coryGardn United States Senator Richard Durbin United States Senator United States Senator ';1h,11.k United States Senator United States Senator Lv~ '~o.w-·------ Luther Strange United States Senator Thom Tillis United States Senator