The Honorable Tom Wheeler Chairman Otnngregg nf tije 1ltniteh ~tafeg lWla.sqington, mar 20515 March 25, 2016 Federal Communications Commission 445 121h Street, SW Washington, D.C. 20554 Recei\ied & Inspected .APR 0 4 2015 FCC M~il Room RE : In the Matter of Lifeline and Link Up Reform and Modernization, WC Docket 11-42, Telecommunications Carriers Eligible for Universal Service Support, WC Docket 09-197. Dear Chairman Wheele r, We the undersigned are writing concerning the orders posted for the open meeting of the FCC on March 31, 2016 regarding the Lifeline program. This order will give Lifeline carriers t he option of going either to the state or to the FCC for an eligibility designat ion. We are concerned that the orders ignore the process set out in 47 U.S.C. Sec. 214(e), which mandates that the States conduct such designations. State regulatory commissions are currently charged with ferreting out waste, fraud, and abuse in the Lifeline program. As an example, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, not the FCC, first identified fraudulent funding requests from Icon Telecom. Due to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission's oversight, Icon relinqu ished its ability to obtain fede ral Lifeline support. States, including our state of Oklahoma, have strong checks and balances in place to ensure nefarious wireline and wireless providers do not have access to Lifeline support. The proposed FCC orders would undo this system of checks and balances, and would lim it state's rights as laid out in current law. We strongly urge the FCC to reject these proposals, and ensure that we stand up for state's rights. Ninety public utility commissioners have urged the FCC to reject these proposals. We agree that removing the state role would only result in additional fraud and abuse. We appreciate your consideration of our request to reject these proposals, and look forwa rd to your response. Sincerely, Member of Congress Tom Cole Frank Lucas Member of Congress PRINTED ON RECYCLED PA PER im Bridenstine Member of Congress 265