Supreme Court Saves $8 Billion Rural Broadband Fund in 6-3 Ruling

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in FCC v. Consumers Research that the Universal Service Fund, which distributes $8.8 billion annually for rural broadband, school internet, and low-income phone subsidies, was constitutionally delegated by Congress to the FCC. The ruling rejected a nondelegation challenge that would have eliminated the fund entirely. Justice Barrett authored the majority opinion preserving FCC authority over USF contribution assessments and disbursements.