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Rep. Tim Griffin, (R-Ark.), on the government's subsidized cell phone program that provides free cell phones to low-income Americans.
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2.2 billion dollars that is what you spent last year on phones for low income America.
But the Wall Street Journal has reviewed this so called lifeline program and looked at the top five cell phone providers.
Under this initiative.
And the journal found out that 41%.
-- the -- six million subscribers.
Cannot.
Demonstrate or did not demonstrate.
Eligibility.
For this program so that is wastes potentially millions of people getting free phones or -- phones.
You should not have gotten them congressman Tim Griffin joins us now from Washington -- congressman.
Why was this allowed to go.
On as long as it did this this review of eligibility requirements -- cell phone providers with only put into place by the SEC it last year.
Well I think that they are responding to pressure.
That they've gotten both from Capitol Hill and also from my Americans who -- outraged.
That people are getting free cell phones.
If -- were up to me this entire program for the of the free cell phones would be gone I've got a bill HR 176.
It's the stop taxpayer funded cell phone -- and die I will continue to push that and -- it seems to me.
This is such a basic.
Point if we can't deal with.
Eliminating waste like this how we ever going to deal with the sixteen trillion dollar.
Debt well.
But you're essentially saying that the entire program because it originally started in mid eighties.
Just related to providing phones for low income Americans and was much later expanded to include self.
It got away from the government but you're essentially saying that the entire programme in terms of subsidized self -- Should be done away with but why is that if we're moving towards a bit -- -- quarter wireless world.
Why would you just do away with that all together -- doesn't seem -- solution isn't it just.
In how it's policed.
By the government.
Now I don't think the federal government ought to be in the business of buying people cell phones.
If you took your point -- to the next level.
Should the government be buying everyone computers.
Should the government be buying every one.
All the latest technology so we're all wired -- -- ipads dude does the government need to buy everybody an iPad you can't afford an iPad.
I mean this where does this and this is ridiculous why aren't gonna draw line.
What do you not satisfied.
The because again we have found out about the number of people who -- probably not eligible for it.
But getting these subsidies but calls the FCC has now put the burden on the wireless provide our our on the phone provider.
To a police eligibility of C you're not satisfied with that that that will weed out millions of people get these sanitation and gotten them.
Well that -- that's certainly a step in the right direction I think the broader point is is is more of a philosophical one.
Which is.
Why is the government buying people.
Free cell phones in the first place.
That's the question I understand it's great if people have them it's great if people have -- If it's great that people have desktop computers but a main.
That's not the government's role to buy all of that stuff for people that's the bottom line -- the government ultimately it.
My name what -- -- -- your client but you know what isn't some of the Barton on -- why these -- these companies these fund providers of these wireless providers live.
Meg ten modest taken advantage of the government not -- -- if the people getting the loans shouldn't and then get -- Well here's the bottom line.
They have a responsibility to follow the law I think the government needs to do a better job.
When it starts a program like -- of making sure that it's run properly.
But the bottom line is look if you're if you're putting this in place because you think someone needs.
-- line at home so they can get in touch with 911.
Let's give our phones that only call 91 -- -- how many of those would you have taken.
That's a good question and not.
Company got a spending probably need to deal when it.
Congressman -- -- say thank you for being here -- Gingrich and thank you Arkansas.
And colleges.
