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 Federal  Communications  Commission  FCC  04-  87 
 STATEMENT  OF  COMMISSIONER  KEVIN  J.  MARTIN 
 Today  the  Commission  takes  steps  to  update  and  improve  the  effectiveness  of  its  low-income  support  mechanism.  The  Commission’s  statutory  charge  is  to  ensure  that  all  Americans 
 have  access  to  quality  services  at  just,  reasonable  and  affordable  rates.  Because  of  policies  like  the  Lifeline  and  Link-  Up  programs,  today  more  than  95%  of  all  U.  S.  households  have  basic 
 telephone  services.  By  expanding  the  Federal  default  eligibility  criteria  today,  we  make  it  easier  for  many  households  to  participate  and  make  support  more  easily  available  for  thousands  of 
 Americans  in  need. 
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