Last week the President signed the appropriations continuing resolution which will keep the federal government funded through the end of 2007. The continuing resolution did contain a provision to exempt universal service from the Anti-Deficiency Act (ADA) through December 31, 2007.
Rep. Cubin (R-WY) introduced H.R. 278 and Senators Rockefeller (D-WV) and Snowe (R-ME) introduced S. 609 which would permanently exempt Universal Service from the ADA. In October 2004, when the FCC initially decided that USAC should adopt the ADA the funding commitments came to a halt for several months. In December 2006 Rep. Cubin along with over two dozen House members asked Chairman Martin to ensure that Universal Service funds continue to flow to recipients. Chairman Martin indicates in his letter back to Rep. Cubin that FCC staff believes that the Universal Service programs can continue to run without the trigger of the ADA for the next couple of years.
Funds For Learning is continuing to work with industry and various education groups to encourage Congress to pass legislation that will permanently exempt Universal Service from the ADA.
