Joni Ernst (R-IA)
No Lifeline for Dead People Act
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "No Lifeline for Dead People Act," aims to change how people qualify for Lifeline services. It would require eligible telecommunications carriers to use the National Verifier to check a consumer's eligibility. Under this act, carriers would be prohibited from providing Lifeline service unless they have used this specific verification process. This would effectively terminate the use of State eligibility determination processes in certain States.
Yes
- Scored +4
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill centralizes the eligibility determination process by mandating the use of the federal National Verifier.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -5
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill reduces state authority by terminating the ability of states to use their own eligibility determination processes for Lifeline service.
- Scored -3
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The removal of state-level eligibility processes may create new bureaucratic hurdles for low-income consumers seeking Lifeline benefits.
- Scored -2
Does this get reliable internet to more people?
The bill imposes stricter verification requirements that could impede the distribution of internet access services provided via Lifeline.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Mandatory Verification: The bill requires an eligible telecommunications carrier to use the National Verifier to verify a consumer's eligibility before providing Lifeline service (Section 2(b)). This ensures a standard verification process is used for the service.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restriction of Eligibility Methods: The bill would terminate the ability of eligible telecommunications carriers in certain States to use State eligibility determination processes (Introduction/Summary). This replaces existing state-level processes with the National Verifier requirement.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The removal of state-level eligibility processes may create new bureaucratic hurdles for low-income consumers seeking Lifeline benefits.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill imposes stricter verification requirements that could impede the distribution of internet access services provided via Lifeline.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill restricts eligibility methods for the Lifeline program, which may create barriers for low-income individuals seeking essential communication services.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill centralizes the eligibility determination process by mandating the use of the federal National Verifier. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill reduces state authority by terminating the ability of states to use their own eligibility determination processes for Lifeline service.
- 6/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Introduced in Senate
Jeanne ShaheenDemocrat · New Hampshire