BOUCHER SAYS HIS USF OVERHAUL BILL WILL DO MORE THAN FCC COULD

摘要

A Universal Service Fund revamp by Congress would do more than one by the FCC and could overcome limits on the commission抯 power, Chairman Rick Boucher, D-Va., of the House Communications Subcommittee said at a National Journal event on Capitol Hill. The National Broadband Plan suggests that an overhaul wouldn't require legislation. 揟here are some questions about the extent of FCC authority to implement even the elements of the plan it recommended" for USF, Boucher said. In the "very near future," he said, he hopes to mark up a bill by him and Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb., supported by rural and urban broadband providers. Boucher hasn't introduced the legislation yet. The proposal "goes beyond" what the commission is recommending, he said. The broadband plan only suggests switching USF to broadband, Boucher said, a change consistent with what he wants.