SHLB Applauds SCOTUS Ruling to Uphold the Universal Service Fund
Washington, D.C. (June 27, 2025) – The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition celebrates today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund (USF), ensuring the future of broadband access for millions of students, library patrons, and community members around the country in both rural and urban areas. SHLB was a named party and petitioner in the consolidated cases (FCC v. Consumers’ Research and SHLB v. Consumers’ Research), which challenged the Federal Communications Commission’s authority to administer the USF.
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling marks a significant victory in our efforts to close the digital divide,” said Joseph Wender, Executive Director of SHLB. “This decision protects the broadband connections that students, veterans, job seekers, healthcare providers, and rural families rely on every day. We’re proud to have played a leading role in defending the Universal Service Fund. SHLB now looks forward to working with the bipartisan Congressional Universal Service Fund working group to improve the USF to ensure it remains predictable, sustainable, and effective in the long run at bringing connectivity to anchor institutions and the communities they serve around the country.”
The USF is a decades-old telecommunications fund that provides affordable broadband through four key programs: E-rate (for schools and libraries), Rural Health Care, Lifeline, and High-Cost.
While today’s decision ensures that the FCC can continue administering these vital programs, the work is far from over. SHLB will continue to advocate for thoughtful improvements to the USF that reflect the needs of a digitally connected nation.
Read SHLB’s Supreme Court Brief Here (pg 17)
Read SHLB’s Supreme Court Reply Brief Here (pg 8)
The SHLB Coalition will host a webinar on July 7 at 3:00 p.m. ET to explore the implications of this decision for anchor institutions. Register here.
Media Availability
Joey Wender is available for interviews to discuss today’s ruling, SHLB’s role in the case, and what it means for broadband access moving forward.
Contact: Saskya Cabral, Marketing & PR Director, scabral@shlb.org
For more information, visit www.shlb.org or follow @SHLBcoalition or follow @SHLBcoalition on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, or YouTube.
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About SHLB: The SHLB Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) advocacy organization that supports open, affordable, high-quality broadband connections for anchor institutions and their surrounding communities. The SHLB Coalition is based in Washington, D.C., and has a diverse membership of commercial and non-commercial organizations across the United States. To learn more, visit www.shlb.org.