FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr Escalates Feud with California Over Lifeline Program Fraud Allegations

In a dramatic escalation of tensions between federal regulators and California state officials, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr has fired back at Governor Gavin Newsom’s criticism of the agency’s handling of alleged fraud within the federal Lifeline program. The high-stakes confrontation highlights deep divisions over how to balance program integrity with ensuring low-income Americans maintain critical access to telecommunications services.

The Heart of the Dispute: Dead People Receiving Benefits?

At the center of the controversy are allegations that thousands of deceased individuals were enrolled in the Lifeline program—a federal initiative that provides discounted phone and internet service to qualifying low-income households. Carr’s recent communications with Newsom have intensified the dispute, with both sides presenting conflicting interpretations of government reports and accountability measures.

In his response to Newsom, Carr asserted that the FCC Inspector General’s report “specifically identified the tens of thousands of people that were enrolled AFTER THEY HAD ALREADY DIED.” This claim, however, appears to significantly overstate the report’s findings. The Inspector General’s investigation actually revealed a more nuanced picture: the office identified “at least 16,774 (and potentially as many as 39,362) deceased individuals were first enrolled and claimed by a provider after they died.”

The discrepancy stems from reporting limitations in certain states. The Inspector General’s office acknowledged it “could not determine whether the remaining 22,588 deceased subscribers were first claimed before or after their deaths as the opt-out states do not report enrollment date information.” This critical detail suggests the actual number of post-mortem enrollments falls somewhere between 16,774 and 39,362—a far cry from Carr’s characterization of “tens of thousands.”

Timeline Discrepancies and Long-Term Payments

Carr further claimed that “payments to providers for people that died or may have died before enrollment went on for over 50 months in cases and for several months on average.” While the Inspector General report did confirm that “providers sought reimbursement for subscribers enrolled after their deaths for 1 to 54 months, with an average of 3.4 months,” it notably failed to specify which states experienced the extreme 54-month duration.

This lack of specificity raises questions about whether California, the primary target of Carr’s criticisms, was actually responsible for the longest-duration payments or whether other states contributed more significantly to the alleged fraud.

Carr Doubles Down on Social Media

Throughout the week, Carr has continued to amplify his position through social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter). In a post that has generated significant engagement, he stated: “For the record, my position is that the government should not be spending your money to provide phone and Internet service to dead people. Governor Newsom is taking the opposite position, apparently.”

This rhetorical framing has proven effective in generating viral engagement, though critics argue it oversimplifies a complex regulatory issue and potentially misrepresents Newsom’s actual position on program integrity versus accessibility.

Potential Consequences for California

When pressed about whether the FCC would penalize California specifically, Carr indicated that enforcement actions remain under consideration. “We are looking at California and we’re going to make sure that we hold bad actors accountable, and we’re going to look at all the remedies that are on the table,” he stated during a press conference.

The potential for federal sanctions against California has raised alarm among consumer advocacy groups and telecommunications policy experts, who warn that aggressive enforcement could inadvertently harm the very populations the Lifeline program aims to serve.

Democratic Commissioner Warns of Collateral Damage

Anna Gomez, the FCC’s sole Democratic commissioner, has emerged as a vocal critic of Carr’s proposed approach. In her official statement, Gomez argued that the proposed rulemaking “goes well beyond” what’s necessary to protect program integrity.

“By proposing to use the same cruel and punitive eligibility standards recently imposed for Medicaid coverage, the Commission risks excluding large numbers of eligible households, including seniors, people with disabilities, rural residents, and Tribal communities, from a proven lifeline that millions rely on to stay connected to work, school, health care, and emergency services,” she warned.

Gomez’s concerns highlight a fundamental tension in federal telecommunications policy: how to maintain program integrity without creating barriers that prevent vulnerable populations from accessing essential services. Her reference to Medicaid eligibility standards suggests that Carr’s approach could create a chilling effect that discourages eligible individuals from applying for or maintaining their Lifeline benefits.

The Broader Context: Federal-State Tensions

This confrontation represents more than a technical dispute over program administration—it reflects broader tensions between federal regulatory authority and state implementation of social programs. California has historically taken a more expansive approach to social services, often clashing with federal agencies under Republican administrations.

The Lifeline program itself has been a political flashpoint for years, with conservatives frequently citing fraud concerns to justify program cuts or restrictions, while progressives emphasize the program’s importance in bridging the digital divide that disproportionately affects low-income communities and communities of color.

What’s Next?

As the FCC considers its next steps, stakeholders across the telecommunications and social services sectors are watching closely. The outcome could have significant implications not only for California but for the future of federal-state partnerships in administering social programs.

Consumer advocates are calling for a more measured approach that addresses legitimate fraud concerns while preserving program accessibility. Meanwhile, fiscal conservatives continue to push for stricter oversight and enforcement mechanisms.

The dispute also raises questions about data sharing and reporting standards across states, as the Inspector General’s findings were complicated by inconsistent reporting practices among different states’ implementation of the Lifeline program.

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• Anna Gomez FCC Democratic commissioner
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