"With so much at stake, we are concerned that the Commission has not released the full proposal for public review and comment," said the letter. "The public deserves the opportunity to provide fully informed comments, and the Commission stands to gain by understanding the positions of all parties interested in its potentially sweeping decision. Only with a fully developed record on the proposal currently under consideration can the Commission make an educated decision that truly serves the public interest. Therefore, we urge the Commission to put the full proposal on record and seek public comment for a period of at least two months."
The letter went on to say, "In addition, Congress has before it a proposal for comprehensive universal service reform and is poised to enact legislation in the next Congress. While we share the Commission's interest in making much needed changes to the universal service fund, elected and accountable representatives in Congress should properly design the reform. With appropriate legislation, the Commission will be equipped with the tools and guidance necessary to adopt regulations pursuant to the statutory reform that best serve the public interest."
The abovementioned letter was written by Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA) and Congressman Lee Terry (R-NE) and co-signed by the following 59 members of Congress. Among all 61 members, 11 serve on the Energy & Commerce Committee, whose jurisdiction is the FCC.
Co-signers include, Greg Walden (R-OR), Ralph Hall (R-TX), John Barrow (D-GA), Nathan Deal (R-GA), Bart Gordon (D-TN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jim Matheson (D-UT), Zach Wamp (R-TN), Tom Latham (R-IA), Leonard Boswell (D-IA), Bruce Braley (D-IA), Steve King (R-IA), Dave Loebsack (D-IA), Adrian Smith (R-NE), Jim Oberstar (D-MN), Collin Peterson (D-MN), Chris Carney (D-PA), Tim Holden (D-PA), Vic Snyder (D-AR), John Boozman (R-AR), Marion Berry (D-AR), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Harold Rogers (R-KY), Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO), Cathy Rodgers (R-WA), Jon Porter (R-NV), William Thornberry (R-TX), Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Ray LaHood (R-IL), Lincoln Davis (D-TN), Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Walter Jones (R-NC), Howard Coble (R-NC), Ron Kind (D-WI), Steve Kagen (D-WI), Tom Feeney (R-FL), Bob Etheridge (D-NC), Michael Arcuri (D- NY), Dennis Rehberg (R-MT), Phil Hare (D-IL), Rodney Alexander (R-LA), Tom Petri (R-WI), Lamar Smith (R-TX), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Tim Walz (D-MN), Zack Space (D-OH), Charlie Wilson (D-OH), Jean Schmidt (R-OH), Adam Smith (D-WA), Jim McCrery (R-LA), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Kenny Hulshof (R-MO), Randy Kuhl (R-NY), John McHugh (R-NY), Sue Myrick (R-NC), Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Dave Loebsack (D-IA).
