“US Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash), Ranking Member of the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, joined Sen Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill), author of the bipartisan Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act, in denouncing Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr’s decision to undermine the 2023 law which would crack down on egregious prison phone rates and make it easier for family members to regularly communicate with incarcerated loved ones, reducing recidivism,” says Cantwell’s office in a press release.

“In a letter to Carr, the senators pointed to his previous vote in favor of adopting the legally-required implementation rules last year—the very rules he is now gutting, writing: ‘As a Commissioner, you voted for the FCC’s 2024 final rule that was adopted on a bipartisan basis, 5-0. Consistent with Congressional intent, the 2024 final rule cut prison phone rates by more than half and banned junk fees charged by providers. As you said at the time, you ‘support[ed] the decision in this proceeding to address the worst abuses and ensure that [incarcerated people’s communications services] rates are just and reasonable… Your claim that the 2024 final rule created ‘unintended consequences’ lacks any support in the record or fact,’ their letter continued. ‘Worse, by repealing the rule and delaying enforcement, your arbitrary and capricious action will inflict irreparable harm on millions of Americans who simply seek to remain in contact with incarcerated loved ones—critical connections that benefit us all by helping to reduce recidivism in a country where approximately 95 percent of all Americans sentenced to Federal and State prison will eventually reenter society.'”