SC Alaska News

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has expressed her approval following the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Universal Service Fund's constitutionality. The program, which has been in place for 30 years, plays a critical role in providing telephone services and internet access to rural communities, schools, and low-income households across Alaska.

Murkowski stated, "Over the last 30 years, the Universal Service Fund has been instrumental in connecting rural Alaska by supporting telephone services and internet access in schools and low-income households in some of the most unserved and underserved communities in our state. I am pleased to see that the Supreme Court upheld the program, agreeing that Congress has set clear guardrails for the Federal Communications Commission to serve rural Americans." She emphasized that Alaskans could remain confident in the continuation of affordable phone and internet services due to this decision.

Additionally, Murkowski commented on another Supreme Court ruling that limits universal injunctions. She remarked, "Limiting universal injunctions ensures that legal challenges around the country are narrowed with proportional size and scope to the matter and precedent being addressed." She acknowledged that while some cases necessitate nationwide application, it's crucial for courts' decisions from specific cities not to be broadly applied across regions like Alaska.