 In recognition of his leadership, NABOB and Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA) presented McDowell with awards in 2012 and 2008 respectively.He repeated his warnings of the unintended consequences of classifying Internet services as telecommunications services under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934 in testifying before Congress in 2014  and 2015, as well as in numerous opinion editorials.Commissioner McDowell believes that the first priority in reforming universal service is "to restore fiscal responsibility to this program."