Arlington, Va. , August 13, 2007- Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Congressmen Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and Collin C. Peterson (D-MN) are the latest Members of Congress to release letters they have sent to the Federal Communications Commission urging adoption of the recommended cap on CETCs that was proposed by the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service.

In his August 2 letter to FCC Commissioner Kevin J. Martin, Rep. Doggett writes: "A reasonable balance must be struck between the growth of the Universal Service Fund and adequate network support for the high cost areas of our nation. Accordingly, the Joint Board recommendation to implement a temporary cap on the distribution of USF to competitive carriers is a reasonable step to ensure neutrality and fairness in the administration of the Fund."

In his July 30 letter to Martin, Sen. Coburn writes: "I support a temporary cap on CETC payments if that will lead to reforms that will fix the broken subsidy structure."

In his letter to Martin earlier this year that was just released, Rep. Peterson writes: "I agree with the decision to impose a temporary "emergency" cap on money from the Universal Service Fund awarded to competitive carriers. The Board's decision acknowledges that virtually all of the growth in the USF is occurring in the competitive eligible telecommunication carrier (CETC) portion of the Fund."

Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA), Larry Craig (R-ID), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Ben Nelson (D-NE), John Thune (R-SD) and Reps. Barbara Cubin (R-WY), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Vito Fossella (R-NY), Baron Hill (D-IN), George P. Radanovich (R-CA), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD), Zack Space (D-OH), Lee Terry (R-NE), Edolphus Towns (D-NY) and Robert Wexler (D-FL) have all written to the FCC in support of the proposed interim cap on CETCs. Additionally, more than 800 telecommunications providers from 47 states recently sent a petition to the FCC and Members of Congress in support of the cap.

The USF ensures reliable access to affordable telecommunications services for millions of U.S. consumers in high-cost service areas. Between 2002 and 2006, however, USF payments to CETCs increased by more than 100 percent annually. This exploding growth threatens the financial integrity of the entire USF program, which also provides support for schools, libraries and rural health care. The temporary cap is recommended by a panel of federal and state regulators, and is needed to avert a crisis that could affect millions of consumers.

The Coalition to Keep America Connected is dedicated to ensuring that all consumers have access to affordable telecommunications services and the latest technologies-no matter where they live. The effort is organized by four rural telecom associations, whose memberships include 700 small and midsize communications companies. Together these companies serve millions of consumers and 40% of the landmass across America. Visit us at www.keepamericaconnected.org.