WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Congress today approved an important provision sponsored by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to assist small businesses in rural America. The provision, which was part of an omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 2764), prevents universal service support from being restricted to primary phone lines. Small businesses in rural America, including Alaska, receive assistance from the Universal Service Fund (USF) to keep phone access affordable. Earlier this year, proposals for universal service reform recommended restricting this assistance to primary business phone lines only. Small businesses in rural America often need a second phone line for a fax machine or other business needs, and this measure would ensure that universal service funds are available and that these second phone lines remain affordable.

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For Immediate Release December 19th, 2007

CONGRESS APPROVES STEVENS PROVISION TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES IN RURAL AMERICA Measure Would Prevent Primary Phone Line Restrictions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Congress today approved an important provision sponsored by Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to assist small businesses in rural America. The provision, which was part of an omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 2764), prevents universal service support from being restricted to primary phone lines. Small businesses in rural America, including Alaska, receive assistance from the Universal Service Fund (USF) to keep phone access affordable. Earlier this year, proposals for universal service reform recommended restricting this assistance to primary business phone lines only. Small businesses in rural America often need a second phone line for a fax machine or other business needs, and this measure would ensure that universal service funds are available and that these second phone lines remain affordable. “This primary line restriction would adversely affect small businesses and consumers in rural parts of America, including my home state of Alaska,” said Senator Stevens. “A second phone line or fax is often critical to the success of small businesses. I am pleased to see this provision included so that our universal service program will continue to improve the lives of rural Americans.”