<!rnngress nf life llniteh i'tates Basl1ingto11, ilfil 20515 712 September 25, 2019 The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 121h Street, SW Washington, D.C. 20554 Dear Chairman Pai: We write to express our opposition to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published by the Federal Communications Commission ("Commission") regarding the universal service contribution methodology 1 in response to the Commission's proposal to cap the Universal Service Fund ("USF") programs, which would harm communities of color, including low­ income Asian American and Pacific Islander ("AAPI") families and households. Americans need high-speed internet access to live and work in the 21st Century. People depend on digital connection to find job opportunities, access critical emergency services, complete their homework and much more. The USF programs are instrumental in the movement to bridge the digital divide in the United States, which is estimated to impact as many as 162.8 million Americans. 2 The overall cap would harm the federal Lifeline program, a critical USF program, which for years has experienced low utilization rates.3 We urge you to consider the overall cap's potential impact on low-income AAPI families and households. Indicators of the digital divide, including education, income level, and English proficiency, illustrate striking disparities within the community and suggest that a gap in access exists among different ethnic groups.4 This is further demonstrated by significant AAPI enrollment in welfare programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid, which, as you know, qualify a household for Lifeline. 5 1 In the Matter of Universal Service Contribution Methodology, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 84 Federal Register 27570 (June 13, 2019) C'Universal Service Contribution Methodology'"). 2 It's time for a new approach to mapping broadband data to better serve Americans. John Kahan. https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2019/04/08/its-time-for-a-new-approach-for-mapping-broadband-data-to-better-serve­ americans/. 3 lifeline Participation, United Service Administrative Co., https://www.usac.org/li/about/process­ overview/stats/participation.aspx. 4 Reply Comments of Asian Americans Advancing Justice I AAJC, Filipina Women's Network, and Japanese American Citizens League. In the Matter of Universal Service Contribution Methodology (August 26, 2019). https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/filell 08264 I 4403159/USF%20Cap%20Reply%20Comments_AAJC_FWN _JACL.pdf. 5 Id. at 4. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER If enacted, an overall cap on the USF programs will undermine the ability of low-income AAPI families and households to enroll in Lifeline and attain a higher standard of living. Therefore, on behalf of our constituents and communities, we urge the Commission to signal its commitment to universal service by rejecting the proposed cap. Sincerely, Ro Khanna Member of Congress Member of Congress Mark Takano Ed Case Member of Congress chakowsky Katie Porter mber of Congre Member of Congress Ted W. Lieu Member of Congress Member of Congress b~iVL Pramila Jayapal Member of Congress Member of Congress race Meng Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan Member of Congress Member of Congress CC: Commissioner Carr Commissioner O'Reilly Commissioner Rosenworcel Commissioner Starks