The Supreme Court will review the Federal Communication Commission's $8 billion Universal Service Fund, questioning its funding structure and possibly reshaping federal regulatory power.

The US Supreme Court will weigh a fresh line of attack on federal administrative power, agreeing to consider the constitutionality of the $8 billion annual slate of subsidies that help cover the cost of telecom services for poor people and rural residents.

The cases explore whether Congress violated the Constitution when it allowed the Federal Communications Commission to gather fees to help pay for critical telecommunications services in communities that might not otherwise have it.

The Supreme Court could further weaken the power of federal agencies by agreeing to hear a dispute over a Federal Communications Commission program that requires companies to subsidize telecommunications services in under-served areas.

The Supreme Court agreed Friday to wade into a fight over Congress’ ability to delegate power to federal agencies — opening the next chapter in a decadeslong effort by conservatives and business interests to reduce the power of the federal government.

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Friday to decide the legality of a congressionally authorized fund operated by the Federal Communications Commission to expand access to telecommunications services in a challenge accusing Congress of unlawfully delegating its authority to an independent federal agency.