Sens Daines, Capito, King Call on FCC to Increase Transparency, Enforcement for Rural Broadband Funding

Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Angus King (I-ME) urged the Federal Communications Commission to consider strict enforcement measures and increase transparency for the recently announced Connect America Fund funding.

The FCC recently announced more than $1.5 billion in annual funding as part of the second phase of the Connect America Fund to expand and support broadband service in rural areas. The senators call on the FCC to provide a publically available list of accountability measures for proper use of the funds, and to explain what enforcement mechanisms will be implemented if carriers fail to meet their obligation under the Connect America Fund program.