Haley Stevens: “I am informed that this amendment is acceptable on both sides. This substitute is very similar to the original section…”

“I am informed that this amendment is acceptable on both sides. This substitute is very similar to the original section 2004 of the bill before the Senate. We have made some changes based upon input from several Senators in segments of the telecommunications industry. This amendment and legislation addresses the fact that the GAO has determined that the Federal Communications Commission established the Schools and Library and Rural Health Care Corporations in violation of the Government Corporations Control Act. That law states that agencies must have specific statutory authority to establish such corporations. Our bipartisan bill urges the FCC to come to Congress with an acceptable structure. Our effort also mandates that the FCC report to Congress by May 8 of each year on the cost of this program. Consumers experienced a 4.9 percent rate increase on their business phone bills after initial collections to fund this program. Congress needs to know why rates went up and how we can avoid such an outcome in the future. I want to personally thank Senators Hollings, McCain, Burns, Dorgan, and Rockefeller for their help with this amendment. As I said, it has now been found acceptable to both sides as a substitute to the provisions that are in this bill as reported by the committee. I urge its adoption.”