# Congress Develops USF Reform Draft

A bipartisan congressional working group is moving closer to a discussion draft to update the Universal Service Fund (USF), an approximately $8 billion-per-year telecommunications subsidy financed by fees on a shrinking pool of voice revenue. No draft, solicitation, contract award, or procurement timeline has been reported. For broadband and telecommunications stakeholders, any eventual changes to USF funding or program structure could affect the funding environment for related services and deployments.

- Telecommunications and broadband providers should follow the working group’s legislative process for potential changes to USF funding and program structure.
- Procurement professionals should note that the signal describes a policy development, not an active solicitation or contract opportunity; no bid action or procurement deadline is identified.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** October 09, 2026

### Government Entities
- United States Congress (Congress)
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

### Sources
- [USF Working Group ‘Getting Closer and Closer’ to Discussion Draft | Benton Institute for Broadband & Society](https://www.benton.org/headlines/usf-working-group-%E2%80%98getting-closer-and-closer%E2%80%99-discussion-draft) - Benton Institute for Broadband & Society