Supreme Court Upholds FCC's $8.6 Billion Universal Service Fund in 6-3 Vote, Rejecting Nondelegation Challenge

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Published Jun 30, 2025, 10:58 PM

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The U.S. Supreme Court on June 27, 2025, upheld the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) funding mechanism for the Universal Service Fund (USF), a multi-billion-dollar program that subsidizes phone and broadband internet access for low-income individuals, rural residents, schools, libraries, and healthcare facilities. The Court ruled 6-3 that the fee added to phone bills, which generates approximately $8.6 billion annually, does not violate the Constitution or the nondelegation doctrine. The decision reversed a previous appeals court ruling that had struck down the USF as unconstitutional.

The program, established by Congress and administered by the FCC, delegates the setting of the tax rate to a private entity, a structure the Court found lawful. The ruling ensures continued funding for expanded telecommunications access in underserved areas, a program supported by both former Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, as well as various lawmakers. The Supreme Court's opinion was authored by Justice Kagan, with dissenting opinions from Justices Gorsuch, Thomas, and Alito. The decision is seen as a victory for efforts to maintain affordable and reliable internet and phone services across the United States, particularly in rural and low-income communities.

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#Federal Communications Commission #FCC #Universal Service Fund #USF #Court #Constitution #Congress #Donald Trump #Joe Biden #Supreme Court #Kagan #Gorsuch #Thomas #Alito #United States

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BREAKING! 🚨 In a move that protects financial interests and ignores the law and will of Congress, the FCC just delayed the implementation of new regulations that would lower prison and jail call rates by 2 years. The rules were set to save families over $500 million per year.