On Wednesday, the Biden administration requested $6 billion from Congress to continue the affordable connectivity program through December 2024.
Joe Biden administration asks Congress for $6 billion to continue ACP
With analysts predicting the ACP will run out of money in the spring of 2024, concerns about the program’s sustainability have become more pressing throughout the year.
To maintain the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households with free or heavily subsidized high-speed Internet access but faces financial difficulties next year, the White House has requested $6 billion from Congress.
The Biden administration’s new funding plan is part of a $56 billion supplemental national budget request for “critical national priorities,” which include energy independence, child care and disaster relief of disaster.
The Administration requested “additional funds to strengthen the program by extending free and discounted high-speed Internet to eligible households through December 2024” regarding the ACP.
A $14 billion allocation from the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 was used to launch the program. For low-income households (more than 20 million households in total), it offers a monthly Internet discount of $30, and for residents of tribal areas, a discount of $75. A one-time $100 discount on the purchase of a tablet or any Internet device is also offered to participants.
The White House released a statement saying, “Without this funding, tens of millions of people would lose this benefit and would no longer be able to afford high-speed Internet service without sacrificing other necessities. »
An advocacy group called the Institute for Local Self-Reliance developed a tracker that indicates there is about $5 billion left in the program. It is expected that by April 2024 this money will be exhausted.
Joe Biden’s request adds to the chorus of requests to Congress to extend the program. By granting low-income Americans broadband access funded by the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, lawmakers underscored the program’s importance in solving the digital divide.
To keep the ACP running, internet companies asked Congress to use funds from another annual broadband grant in September. They argued that consistent financial contributions from Congress would not be as sustainable as the Universal Service Fund, which is the subject of calls for reform.
Additionally, weeks of impasse were broken and possible legislation was opened by the Republican-led election of the new House Speaker on the same day as the funding request.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) supported the requested funds along with other organizations.
In contrast, the ACLU expressed concern that more than $6 billion would be needed. Congress should act quickly to fund at least $7 billion so citizens can continue to communicate during the upcoming holidays and hopefully beyond.
According to former FCC attorney Diane Holland, more eligible households will apply for the subsidy as the FCC attempts to raise awareness of the ACP.
Holland said earlier this year: “And this is going to deplete the funding even faster than it is now. It’s a good thing that more people are learning about the program, but it also brings a more pressing need to get more funding for the program.
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