New Dems Implore House Republicans to Join Democrats in Preventing 23 Million American Households From Losing Internet Access
This is the latest action taken by New Dem Members to save the Affordable Connectivity Program, following repeated calls on Congressional Leadership over the past year to fund this vital program.
Today, New Democrat Coalition Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) and Freshman Leadership Representative Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) led 95 New Democrat Coalition Members in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson calling on House Republican Leadership to take immediate bipartisan action to fund the Affordable Connectivity Program.
Enacted as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law championed by New Dems last Congress, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) currently empowers 23 million households across the country to access affordable broadband. Without additional funding from Congress, the ACP will cease entirely on April 30th, and millions of households could lose crucial internet access.
“The Internet is an essential utility that American families rely on every day to do their jobs, complete education, get their medication, and fully participate in American society,” said New Dem Reps. Angie Craig and Nikki Budzinski. “We’ve been hearing from our constituents across the country who are calling for the immediate extension of this program, and Republicans would be wise to listen. The time is now for Speaker Johnson to join Democrats in protecting this critical lifeline.”
The letter to Speaker Johnson reads in part:
“As New Dems, we are committed to fighting to lower everyday costs for Americans; letting the ACP lapse will lead to a direct increase in broadband costs for consumers. We reaffirm our call to House Republicans to deliver for the American people and provide the ACP with the funding it needs without delay.”
You can read the full letter here, and below:
Dear Speaker Johnson,
In the nearly three years since the establishment of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, millions of American households have received aid from the ACP to access affordable broadband and participate in the 21st century economy. Without the monthly benefit the ACP provides, many Americans will lose access to distance learning, telemedicine, the online marketplace, and the numerous benefits that high-speed internet provides in everyday life.
We are disappointed that despite the incredible impact on the 23 million households that have enrolled across the country, House Republican Leadership has blocked any consideration of the funding it needs to keep running, pushing us towards the program’s extinction. At a time of rising costs, Republican Leadership refuses to support this critical program that saves communities money. If Congress does not provide additional funding, April is the last month the full ACP benefit will be provided, and, in May, households will see changes in their bill. More than three-quarters of ACP-enrolled households could either experience a disruption or lose access to the internet entirely. We cannot let this happen.
As New Dems, we are committed to fighting to lower everyday costs for Americans; letting the ACP lapse will lead to a direct increase in broadband costs for consumers. We reaffirm our call to House Republicans to deliver for the American people and provide the ACP with the funding it needs without delay. In January 2024, the bipartisan, bicameral Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act was introduced, and, if adopted, would provide an additional $7 billion for the ACP. This Act has broad support, including over 224 co-sponsors. We stand ready and willing to partner with you and the Republican Conference to keep Americans connected to the internet.
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