March 17, 2026
Mr. Obernolte introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
To direct the Federal Communications Commission to promulgate regulations to improve the Lifeline program of the Commission, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the No Lifeline for the Dead Act
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Sec. 2. Lifeline program improvement
(a) In general
Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission shall promulgate regulations with respect to the Lifeline program to provide for the following:
(1)
The eligibility of a consumer for assistance under such program shall be determined using the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Lifeline Accountability Database, without any option for opting out of such Verifier or such Database on the basis of a State or other system related to eligibility determinations.
(2)
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, any consumer whose eligibility for assistance under such program was determined without use of the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Lifeline Accountability Database—
(A)
shall have the eligibility of such consumer for assistance under such program reexamined and determined using such Verifier and such Database; and
(B)
shall be no longer eligible for assistance under such program if determined ineligible pursuant to a reexamination under subparagraph (A).
(3)
Only a consumer who is a citizen of the United States or a qualified alien shall be eligible for assistance under such program.
(4)
Only a consumer who provides, as part of the application process for assistance under such program, the Social Security number (or a Tribal identifier) of such consumer shall be eligible for assistance under such program.
(b) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Lifeline program
The term Lifeline program means the Lifeline program of the Federal Communications Commission, set forth in subpart E of part 54 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).
(2) National Lifeline Accountability Database
The term National Lifeline Accountability Database has the meaning given such term in section 54.400 of subpart E of part 54 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).
(3) National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier
The term National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier has the meaning given such term in section 54.400 of subpart E of part 54 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).
(4) Qualified alien
The term qualified alien has the meaning given such term in section 431 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1641).