Qrungrenn uf tt-,e liniteh ~taten 1ltlla.sl1i119ton, :ntC!t 20515 972 December 22, 2022 The Honorable Jessica Rosenworcel Federal Communications Commission 45 L Street N.E. Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairwoman Rosenworcel: Thank you for the prompt examination of the ACAM Broadband Coalition’s proposal to modify and update the Alternative Cost Model (ACAM) high-cost universal service (USF) support program and the proposal to make permanent changes to the Connect America Fund Broadband Loop Support (CAF-BLS) high-cost program consistent with what the FCC has previously adopted as temporary waivers. Comments in response to the FCC’s rulemaking notice demonstrate strong support for updating its high-cost programs to facilitate access to modern upload and download speeds and to ensure both the sustainability of networks once built and the affordability of services atop them. For that reason, we respectfully urge the Commission to move forward to update the ACAM and CAF-BLS programs as soon as possible. Since their creation, high-cost USF programs like ACAM and CAF-BLS have delivered affordable service to millions of rural Americans. However, there is more to do to reach consumers in the areas these programs target as the speeds in these programs have become dated, with maximum required download speeds that limit household access to technologies like telework, telehealth, and distance learning. Without agency action, the FCC risks leaving Americans in rural areas behind. We respectfully urge the FCC to enhance these programs as soon as possible. Doing so will position the Commission to better respond to the needs of our constituents living and working in rural high-cost areas. We appreciate your dedicated work to bring fast, reliable, and affordable broadband to every American. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Earl L. “Buddy” Carter Mark Pocan Member of Congress Member of Congress Randy Feenstra Tom O’Halleran Member of Congress Member of Congress '4~:fy ~~ Scott Fitzgerald Glenn Grothman Member of Congress Member of Congress ,.t,2-;(--.IF ~~ Drew Ferguson Jack Bergman Member of Congress Member of Congress ;-R~ ~b- James R. Baird Bryan Steil Member of Congress Member of Congress ~Jfi--- ~ ·~tr Ashley Hinson Sanford Bishop Member of Congress Member of Congress ~r~Tom Tiffany Mike Gallagher Member of Congress Member of Congress Debbie Lesko Rick Allen Member of Congress Member of Congress C. Scott Franklin Jeff Duncan Member of Congress Member of Congress ~ow~ John Rose Ann McLane Kuster Member of Congress Member of Congress g=;J~ Bruce Westerman Don Bacon Member of Congress Member of Congress Qe11a-x1 Darin LaHood Eric. A. “Rick” Crawford Member of Congress Member of Congress Ed Case Steve Womack Member of Congress Member of Congress Mike Bost Andrew Clyde Member of Congress Member of Congress Cheri Bustos Dusty Johnson Member of Congress Member of Congress ~~~ Jodey Arrington Barry Moore Member of Congress Member of Congress ~~~ ~~ Jaime Herrera Beutler Derek Kilmer Member of Congress Member of Congress >4~ ~"'-~~ Jody Hice Raúl M. Grijalva Member of Congress Member of Congress