Free Press Opposes Carr's Cruel and Baseless Attacks on the FCC's Lifeline Program

WASHINGTON — On Monday, Free Press filed comments in the Federal Communications Commission proceeding on supposed “reform and modernization” of the agency’s Lifeline program.

Since the beginning of the year, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has sought to undermine the bipartisan federal-assistance program, which was created during the Reagan administration to help make communications services more affordable for qualifying low-income consumers. Carr has repeatedly attacked the program and proposed changes that would potentially intimidate eligible people from applying for Lifeline benefits.

“Behind the Chair’s headline-seeking is a much less salacious reality: the Lifeline program is a successful, yet under-utilized, income benefit for the poorest families,” read Free Press’ comments, which take the chairman to task for transforming the independent agency into a political weapon in service of President Donald Trump’s inhumane agenda. In the case of Lifeline, Carr’s goal is to scare applicants — including “citizens and qualified aliens” — from applying for a benefit they legitimately qualify for.

“The only sensible recommendation at this time is for this commission to leave Lifeline as-is,” read Free Press’ comments, “until such a time when the commission is once again led by someone who cares about the public interest, and demonstrates intellectual and moral integrity.”  

Free Press’ filing meticulously details the Lifeline program’s history, and shows that it has helped narrow — if not yet eliminate — long-standing digital divides based on race, ethnicity and income.

Matt Wood, Free Press vice president of policy and general counsel, said: 

“Carr’s so-called reforms to the Lifeline program — which would not lead to any savings — are driven by his desire to please President Trump above all else. The chairman seeks to cast a chill over the application process and reduce program participation among those who are eligible for the benefit but are understandably afraid that the simple act of applying to the Lifeline program could result in their unlawful arrest and deportation.

“The FCC’s latest proposed changes to Lifeline are not based on reason or evidence, but on Chairman Carr’s extremist politics, and his apparent belief that attacking the most vulnerable members of society aligns with the Trumpist agenda. With this proposal and his recent actions on other matters, Carr has shown he doesn’t respect the agency’s historic independence, and in fact is willing to exploit the power of his office to further Trump’s cruel agenda.

“This current proceeding is merely another example of the Trump FCC’s elevation of hateful identity politics above serious public-policy analysis. Politicizing the Lifeline program is the exact wrong move. This benefit is vital for millions of families across the political spectrum. Chairman Carr’s eagerness to abuse his power just to score political points may help the White House remember who he is, but it actively undermines the agency’s statutory goal of ensuring that everyone in the United States — without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or sex — may access essential communications services at reasonable charges. 

“We look forward to a future when the FCC once again is led by someone who cares about the public interest, understands the agency’s role as an independent regulator, is faithful to the U.S. Constitution and demonstrates intellectual and moral integrity. But that time is not now. Because Lifeline is now working as intended for nearly eight million low-income households — and because of Brendan Carr’s demonstrated unseriousness and untrustworthiness — our central recommendation is for the FCC to preserve the Lifeline rules and reject the chairman’s harmful recommendations in their entirety.”