US Senators Urge FCC Chairman Carr Not to Gut IPCS Rules

In a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, a group of Democratic U.S. Senators urged the Commission not to "gut" the FCC's 2024 final rule implementing the bipartisan Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022. "As a Commissioner, you voted for the FCC’s 2024 final rule that was adopted on a bipartisan basis, 5-0," says the letter. "Consistent with Congressional intent, the 2024 final rule cut prison phone rates bymore than half and banned junk fees charged by providers. As you said at the time, you 'support[ed] the decision in this proceeding to address the worst abuses and ensure that [incarcerated people’s communications services] rates are just and reasonable.'" The letter continues, "your arbitrary and capricious action will inflict irreparable harm on millions of Americans who simply seek to remain in contact with incarcerated loved ones—critical connections that benefit us all by helping to reduce recidivism in a country where approximately 95 percent of all Americans sentenced to Federal and State prison will eventually reenter society. We demand that you follow the law by withdrawing the proposed order and the June 2025 delay order and restoring the 2024 final rule."