WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), former chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet and current senior member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, issued the following statement on Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski’s announcement of the FCC’s plan to reform the Lifeline program:
 
“The Lifeline program has been a vital telecommunications tool for connecting low-income households to basic, affordable telephone service. As the author of the requirement directing the FCC to develop the National Broadband Plan, I strongly support modernizing the Lifeline program for the 21st century to support universal access to broadband Internet service for low-income Americans. I also commend Chairman Genachowski for his efforts to reform the program while preventing waste and fraud. I look forward to working with the Commission as this process moves forward.”
 
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