Rep. Cubin (R-Wyo.) introduced a bill (HR-2533) late Mon. that pe...
Rep. Cubin (R-Wyo.) introduced a bill (HR-2533) late Mon. that permanently would exempt the Universal Service Fund (USF) from Antideficiency Act (ADA) accounting standards. The bill is a companion to S-241, introduced by Sens. Snowe (R-Me.) and Rockefeller (D-W.Va.).…
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The ADA bars federal agencies from incurring obligations in advance of appropriations. The FCC last year ruled the ADA applies to the USF, meaning the fund administrator would have to have cash on hand before sending commitment letters to fund recipients. The immediate impact was on the E-rate program, but rural ILECs fear their payments also could be affected. Congress in Dec. passed a bill exempting the USF from the ADA through 2005.