Today, U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), JD Vance (R-Ohio), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and U.S. Representatives Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) led their colleagues in the bicameral, bipartisan introduction of the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act. This legislation would provide $7 billion for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides affordable high-speed internet options to qualifying households across the U.S. The program, which is administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is projected to be exhausted in Spring 2024 without additional funding.
Since its implementation, more than 22.5 million households have utilized the program’s monthly discount of up to $30 for internet service, and up to $75 monthly for those living on Tribal lands. This program has been utilized by over 800,000 veterans, one million college students, 3.1 million families with a K-12 student receiving free or reduced-price lunch, and 5 million seniors across the United States.
Senators Welch, Vance, Rosen, and Cramer are leading the introduction of the bill in the Senate. Representatives Clarke and Fitzpatrick are leading the bill in the House of Representatives and are joined by original cosponsors Reps. Michael Lawler (NY-17), Norma Torres (CA-35), Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04), Debbie Dingell (MI-6), Darren Soto (FL-9), and Marc Molinaro (NY-19).
Read more about the bill here, and see State-by-State and Congressional District-level data here.
CNN had the exclusive details of the bill’s introduction: US lawmakers propose $7 billion in funding to extend FCC internet discount program:
“Without congressional intervention, the ACP’s $14 billion budget will be exhausted by the end of April amid rising enrollment and strong demand for benefits. By that time, the loss of funding could disrupt internet access to an estimated 25 million homes, the FCC has projected, or the equivalent of 64 million people, according to US Census Bureau household estimates.
“The introduction of Wednesday’s bill — the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act — comes days after FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel called on leading members of Congress to save the ACP.”
The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act is supported by government and telecommunications leaders, and over 400 organizations including: AARP, American Civil Liberties Union, AT&T, Charter, Comcast, Communications Workers of America, Cox Communications, CTIA – The Wireless Association, the Fiber Broadband Association, INCOMPAS, NAACP, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association, T-Mobile, USTelecom, Verizon, Wireless Infrastructure Association, and WTA – Advocates for Rural Broadband.
Here’s what supporters are saying about the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act:
Government and Telecommunications Leaders:
“Rural, suburban, and urban communities across the country are online today because of the success of the Affordable Connectivity Program. Nearly 23 million households are connecting to education, work, health care, and more thanks to this monumental investment in broadband access and affordability. I’m grateful to Sens. Welch and Vance, and Reps. Clarke and Fitzpatrick for their bipartisan leadership as we seek to maintain the historic progress we’ve made through this program,” – FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
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“The Affordable Connectivity Program is helping over 22 million households here in America get online, stay online, and secure the opportunities that only broadband can deliver in the 21st-century. Rural, urban, and native Americans alike have come to rely on the ACP as part of their vibrant future. It’s why I’m thrilled to support this bipartisan legislation which would keep ACP funded through a $7 billion appropriation. I thank Congresswoman Clarke and Senators Welch and Vance for their leadership on this critical issue.” – FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks
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“Thanks to the Affordable Connectivity Program, nearly 23 million households in every corner of the country – in rural, urban, suburban, and Tribal lands – have broadband connectivity today. We are at a critical time for this program. A loss of funding will mean a loss of trust in this public-private partnership that could squander this opportunity to close the digital divide. I am heartened to see bipartisan Congressional efforts led by Senators Welch and Vance and Representatives Clarke and Fitzpatrick. I remain hopeful that this program will continue to be funded.” – FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez
Industry and Business Leaders:
“Our members are competitive providers who are bringing faster, more affordable internet to communities across the country. We’ve heard directly from them that the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has been a huge driver for deployment and has connected millions of households across the country. With the program in danger of running out of funding by early next year, we wholeheartedly support this piece of legislation to ensure it continues. Connectivity should not be a partisan issue; we urge all Members of Congress to recognize the immense value that connectivity brings not only to individuals but to our society as a whole and swiftly fund this program.” – Angie Kronenberg, President, INCOMPAS
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“T-Mobile supports an extension of the Affordable Connectivity Program by Congress and has championed the program for years in our work to connect underserved Americans. We applaud Senators Welch and Vance, and Representatives Clarke and Fitzpatrick for introducing bipartisan legislation to help millions of Americans stay connected to the internet.” – Tony Russo, Vice President, Federal Legislative Affairs for T-Mobile
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“GFiber is pleased to see this bill introduced to add funding to the Affordable Connectivity Program. In many cases, access to ACP is the difference between a family choosing to sign up for the internet, or having no access at all. With the internet today considered a lifeline service for many, ACP is critical. The world as we know it today relies on the ability to get online. Without the ACP, more than 22 million American households could lose the benefit that allows them to afford an internet connection.” – Google Fiber
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“The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is keeping millions of low-income and struggling American families connected to the internet. With funding for this essential program due to run out in the next few months, it is imperative that Congress provides bridge funding while they work to implement a long-term solution. We thank U.S. Senators Welch and Vance, Rosen and Cramer, and U.S. Representatives Clarke and Fitzpatrick, for their introduction of bipartisan, bicameral legislation that will ensure this critically important program does not abruptly end for the nearly 23 million households relying on it. We look forward to working with Congress to find a sustainable solution. It’s essential that we work together to keep low-income families in rural and urban America connected to the internet.” – Kathy Grillo, Verizon Senior Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, Public Policy & Government Affairs
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“Congress should move quickly to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program. Affordable Internet access is a key component of making sure the innovation ecosystem is accessible to all now as well as accessible to the next generation of startup founders in communities across the country that have historically been excluded.” – Kate Tummarello, Executive Director, Engine
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“All Americans deserve access to broadband. WIA is proud to support the bipartisan Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 and the $7 billion it would provide to help families afford the connectivity they need to thrive. We thank Representative Yvette Clarke, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick, and Senator Peter Welch for their leadership on this important issue and we urge swift passage in the Senate and the House before ACP funding lapses.” – Patrick Halley, President and CEO, WIA
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“The National Lifeline Association (NaLA) supports this bipartisan bill to secure additional funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). With the $7 billion in appropriated funds, we can ensure the 22 million households currently using the program do not lose their mobile and fixed internet access. Broadband is crucial to participate in all aspects of modern life and the funding from the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 is crucial so no household is left behind.” – David B. Dorwart, Chair, National Lifeline Association (NaLA)
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“The ACP program allows millions of Americans to connect to jobs, education, and healthcare. We proudly support the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024, as it allows companies like ours to keep bridging the digital divide and ensure everyone is able to participate in the information economy.” – TruConnect
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“At Lumos, we believe that everyone should have access to the fastest internet. For us, this means building our high-speed fiber optic network in many low-income, unserved, and underserved communities in the mid-Atlantic. We’re proud to participate in the ACP, which is an important tool that Internet Service Providers use to help close the digital divide. Today, many of our customers benefit from Lumos’s participation in the ACP program, and we urge Congress to pass this bill so that our communities can continue to participate fully in today’s digital economy.” – Lumos Fiber
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“The internet is deeply intertwined with our daily lives, and we’ve come to rely on it as we do with other utilities like water or electricity. Because internet access is an essential service, the federal government must continue making access more affordable for low-income Americans and Ting whole-heartedly supports the extension of ACP to ensure that the 20+ million American households currently enrolled continue to remain connected.” – Elliot Noss, CEO, Ting Internet & Tucows
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“ALLO Communications (‘ALLO’) provides world-class fiber internet, voice, TV, and other managed services to customers across Nebraska, Colorado, and Arizona. ALLO is a proud participant in the Affordable Connectivity Program (‘ACP’) and strongly supports the ACP Extension Act. ACP is an essential program that enables many lower-income Americans to access high-quality broadband internet. In today’s world, access to a reliable home internet connection is a necessity. It empowers individuals and families to utilize many essential services and capabilities including remote work, distance learning, telehealth, and other online resources. Without the ACP, more than 22 million American households could lose the benefit that allows them to afford an internet connection. Extending the ACP will help bridge the digital divide for these Americans. We urge you to support this important piece of legislation.” – ALLO Communications
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“The ACP helps nearly 23 million low-income American households access affordable, reliable broadband. And yet, despite the program’s immense success, its funding is expected to run out in a matter of months. The ACP Extension Act of 2024 is a critical and common-sense step towards keeping these millions of families online and fulfilling our nation’s bipartisan commitment to bridging the digital divide once and for all.” – Jonathan Spalter, USTelecom President & CEO
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“The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) commends Representatives Yvette Clarke (NY-9) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Senators Peter Welch (VT) and J.D. Vance (OH) for their bipartisan, bicameral leadership in introducing legislation that will allow the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to continue into 2024. More than 20 million households are currently benefiting from this important program, allowing them to fully participate in all aspects of the economy and society.” – Gary Bolton, CEO, Fiber Broadband Association
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“Thank you to Senators Welch and Vance, and Representatives Clarke and Fitzpatrick for their bipartisan work to introduce legislation to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program. Keeping this program funded is a crucial element in closing the digital divide. More than 20 million American households rely on the ACP, with more than half using it to subscribe to wireless broadband – to access the internet to stay connected to work, school, telehealth, and other vital parts of our society.” – Kelly Cole, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, CTIA
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“ACP is a key part of making sure broadband is affordable for all Americans. We support the introduction of the ACP Extension Act and look forward to working with policymakers on both passage and the development of a long-term solution to ACP viability.” – Derrick Owens, Senior Vice President for Government and Industry Affairs, WTA – Advocates for Rural Broadband
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“The ACP is critical for Rural Vermonters. Losing it would leave these families in digital darkness. Education, medical services, agricultural success, financial transactions, and social interaction, to name a few, are dependent on broadband connections. We have created hope and trust for those struggling Vermonters who are participating in the program. We can’t take it away now.” – Christine Hallquist, Executive Director of the Vermont Community Broadband Board
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“NEK Broadband supports the ‘Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024’ as a way to bridge a gap in funding to provide high-speed internet service at a reduced cost to income-sensitive Vermonters. As the most rural Communications Union District in Vermont, including 3 of the 4 counties with the lowest per capita income, reducing the cost of maintaining internet service is critical to bridging the digital divide for our customers. This important Act, co-sponsored by Vermont Senator Welch, extends the Affordable Connectivity Program to provide time to create more lasting solutions. Affordable connectivity solutions are critical for NEK Broadband’s mission of making high-speed internet accessible to all residents of our district.” – NEK Broadband, Vermont
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“With more than 22 million American households now relying on it, the bipartisan Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is vital to bridging the digital divide, and we must ensure it continues to receive funding. We thank Sens. Welch, Vance, Rosen and Cramer and Reps. Fitzpatrick, Clarke, Lawler, Torres, Molinaro, Dingell, D’Esposito and Soto for their leadership on this important issue and urge Congress to swiftly approve the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024. With the internet such an integral part of our daily lives, ensuring the ACP has adequate funding is a critical national priority.” – NCTA – The Internet & Television Association
Public Interest Leaders:
“The National Congress of American Indians is pleased to support the “Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024.” Tribal communities and Native Americans and Alaska Natives residing on tribal lands remain the most underserved population when it comes to broadband access and infrastructure. The broadband subsidies for residents on tribal lands will help bridge the gap that exists for our members to have access to educational tools, telehealth, and economic opportunities. We applaud the bipartisan effort by Senators Welch and Vance in introducing this legislation that will ensure access to this program through the remainder of 2024.” – NCAI President Mark Macarro
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“With the introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Extension Act of 2024, the new year is off to a promising start for nearly 23 million low-income, tribal and high-cost households. The ACP has allowed tens of millions of US residents to purchase and stay connected to broadband Internet service, which is essential for full participation in our economy, our culture, our health care and education systems and our democracy. AAPB applauds Representatives Clarke and Fitzgerald, and Senators Welch, Vance, Rosen and Cramer for their leadership as the future of the ACP reaches the 11th hour.
“When Congress passed the bipartisan infrastructure law in 2021, it included the ACP because it recognized that it’s not enough to provide tens of billions of dollars for broadband providers to build networks; it must also ensure that everybody can use them. The program has been a success, both for end users and for broadband providers like AAPB’s public network operators. Its survival is integral to the success of the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program – it helps incentivize broadband providers to serve rural and low-income communities and makes BEAD dollars go further by improving the providers’ return on investment.
“The ACP is the rare broadband policy that is supported by everyone in the ecosystem – industry, public interest and digital equity advocates, local, state and federal officials, Republicans and Democrats. Yet the program is at serious risk of ending this April unless Congress swiftly acts to extend it. Passage of the ACP Extension Act will help keep American households connected while giving Congress and the FCC time to consider how best to make the ACP a permanent program.” – Gigi Sohn, Executive Director, American Association for Public Broadband
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“The internet is no longer optional – it’s essential. Without broadband, our local communities cannot access opportunities in education, and employment, nor speak out online and exercise their First Amendment rights. Households who struggle to afford broadband shouldn’t have to sacrifice other necessities to stay connected. The Affordable Connectivity Program has proved to be so necessary that it is facing a funding cliff. But, the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act could stop families from falling off. We are grateful to the bill sponsors for looking out for families in need.” – Jenna Leventoff, Senior Policy Counsel, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
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“AARP, which advocates for more than 100 million Americans age 50 and older, is pleased to endorse the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024. This legislation would ensure the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has the funding needed to help tens of millions of households continue to afford high-speed internet.
“Everyone should have access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet service. The ACP, created by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, has helped more than 22 million households—including 10 million age 50 and older—get and stay online, ensuring they have access to essential services, such as telehealth visits with their doctors and virtual check-ins with caregivers, as well as the ability to stay connected with friends and loved ones. Unfortunately, funding for the ACP is projected to run out in mid-2024, leaving millions of older Americans without access to affordable internet service. This legislation will prevent this disruption in high-speed internet service and will make certain that state broadband infrastructure deployment projects, which are already underway, can reach as many customers as possible and help close the digital divide.” – AARP
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“We applaud Representatives Clarke and Fitzpatrick for championing digital equity by introducing legislation to keep over 22 million households connected through the Affordable Connectivity Program. We urge their colleagues in Congress to support this legislation as we work to identify solutions for the long-term sustainability of ACP.” – Angela Siefer, Executive Director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance
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“Public Knowledge is pleased to see Senator Welch and Reps. Fitzpatrick and Clarke champion the continued funding of the Affordable Connectivity Program with bipartisan support. Twenty-five million families depend on this subsidy in order to afford broadband – which connects people to vital employment opportunities, education, and healthcare services every day. Congress must continue to fund this program or millions of people will lose the internet they depend on.
“Scores of members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have expressed support for continuing this program. Now leadership has a bill that can achieve it just in time to be included in a funding bill. If Congressional leaders ignore this crisis and fail to renew the ACP, millions of Americans will be at risk of losing their online connection to work, healthcare, education, and critical information. Now is the time for Congress to act to keep families connected.” – Sara Collins, Director of Government Affairs, Public Knowledge
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“The National Tribal Telecommunications Association fully supports Senator Welch’s bill to fund the Affordable Connectivity Program. The ACP’s $75 credit for internet service is crucial for households in Tribal areas that would face almost insurmountable hurdles in being able to afford service. In fact, over 318,000 Tribal households are participating in the ACP and count on this support to stay connected. Senator Welch’s bill would allow the ACP to continue assisting these vulnerable households and NTTA applauds his efforts.” – The National Tribal Telecommunications Association
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“EducationSuperHighway is proud to endorse The Affordable Connectivity Extension Act of 2024 and applaud Representatives Clarke, Fitzpatrick, and Senator Welch for their leadership. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is critical to closing the broadband affordability gap, which keeps 17 million U.S. households offline and is two-thirds of our nation’s digital divide. Over 22M U.S. households rely on the ACP to get internet service and stay connected to the digital economy, education, healthcare, the social safety net, and critical government services. As states prepare to make the most significant broadband investments in history using their Broadband Access, Equity, and Deployment (BEAD) allocation, we have an unprecedented opportunity to bridge America’s digital divide. We urge Congress to take action to fund this popular program with bipartisan support.” – EducationSuperHighway
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“The Affordable Connectivity Program has already helped more than 22 million households save money on their internet bills and has quickly become an essential tool in the fight to close the digital divide. Civic Nation has been working to enroll people in the ACP for the last year through our leadership of the Online For All campaign and we are thrilled to see Members of Congress taking action to ensure the continuation of this important program.” – Kyle Lierman, CEO, Civic Nation
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“Free Press Action is immensely grateful for this bipartisan effort to fund the Affordable Connectivity Program. Low-income families have come to rely on the ACP to make ends meet and ensure they can participate more fully in everyday life. Without renewed funding, more than 22 million households could run out of the support they need to pay their broadband bill in four months. If we’re serious about closing the digital divide in the United States, we must get the cost of connectivity under control. The ACP plays a central role in doing that.” – Heather Franklin, Internet Campaign Director, Free Press Action
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“Funding for ACP is not merely a nice-to-have—it is a critical social and economic investment that brings access to jobs, educational opportunities, improved health, and other essential resources that people need to thrive in our digital economy and society. One in every six American households currently depend on ACP to afford their broadband internet, and more than double that number are eligible but not yet enrolled in the program. The ACP is working, and with the passage of this bill it can go much farther —if we give it a chance.” – Chhaya Kapadia, Chief of Staff, Open Technology Institute at New America
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“Access to affordable broadband services is essential for full participation in today’s democracy, economy, and emerging technology. The Affordable Connectivity Program plays an important role in connecting those who need broadband service the most. The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 is a bi-cameral, bi-partisan solution ensuring the digital divide continues to shrink, and that the federal government’s investment in broadband infrastructure remains equitable. We appreciate the efforts of Representative Clarke, Representative Fitzpatrick, Senator Welch, and Senator Vance to continue to ensure the 22 million households remain connected, and that millions more still have the opportunity to enroll in this important program.” – The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
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“Common Sense Media welcomes the introduction of the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 and thanks Reps. Clarke and Fitzpatrick, and Sens. Welch, Vance, Rosen, and Cramer. for their leadership at this critical moment for connectivity in America. Without an extension, the program is estimated to run out of funds in April, and recipients and providers desperately need certainty that this program will not lapse.”
“By passing this bill, Congress will ensure that millions of struggling Americans can afford high-speed internet connectivity at home. Our research found that there is a persistent digital divide that follows students throughout their k-12 career. The ACP is the only program designed to provide consistent affordability support ensuring that students have continuous access to home internet as they rise from one grade to the next.
“If Congress fails to extend this program quickly, millions of families across the country are at risk of losing this benefit in the middle of this school year. The lapse of ACP will also negatively impact families in rural communities who are about to benefit from historic investments in broadband infrastructure deployment. Our research found that without ACP, providers building broadband in rural communities would face increased costs. We look forward to working closely with Reps. Clarke and Fitzpatrick and Sens. Welch, Vance, Rosen, and Cramer and their colleagues to quickly pass this bill and secure continued funding for the ACP.” – Amina Fazlullah, Head of Tech Policy Advocacy, Common Sense Media
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“Members of the Communications Workers of America have a longstanding commitment to making sure that every household in America has reliable high-speed internet service. The passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in 2021 means that, at long last, that goal is within reach.
“Critically, in addition to allocating $42 billion for broadband deployment, the IIJA provided initial funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which has enabled over 22 million households to afford high-speed internet access. Those funds will soon be depleted.
“The bipartisan Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024, introduces by Representatives Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.) and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.) will provide $7 billion in funding for the ACP. While these funds will only last, at most, through the end of 2024, they are critical to ensuring the continuation of this essential program. Without the ACP, millions of families will be cut off from critical healthcare services, educational resources, and job opportunities. Job-creating broadband infrastructure projects could be curtailed if fewer customers are able to afford service.
“We are proud of the contribution we make by building, maintaining, and supporting our nation’s communications infrastructure, and we have seen firsthand the impact that the digital divide has had on low income, rural and tribal communities in every state and county across our country. We thank Representatives Fitzpatrick and Clarke for introducing the ACP Extension Act and urge Congressional leaders to support this funding request and to work with us to ensure that internet service remains affordable for everyone.” – Communications Workers of America
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“Our nation cannot afford the risk of losing the success that the Affordable Connectivity Program has provided for families to compete in the digital economy, access employment, online education, remote work, entrepreneurship opportunities, telehealth services, and participate in civil engagement. The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024, would continue the success of the Affordable Connectivity Program to narrow the digital gap in millions of households across the nation. This Act would continue to help families and children to stay connected and continue to experience the transformative power of high-speed home broadband service in their lives.” – Melanie Campbell, President and CEO, National Coalition on Black Civic Participation
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“The digital divide holds the entire nation back. Access to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband is essential to full participation in modern life in the United States—and is an important part of our social safety net, allowing us all to contribute to building our nation.
“Recognizing that broadband connectivity is a necessity, Congress and the Federal Communications Commission created, first, the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program during the COVID-19 pandemic and then the Affordable Connectivity Program (known as ACP) so that some of the most vulnerable in our communities can stay connected. ACP is a lifeline for over 22 million people including low-income households, Veterans, people in rural areas, and students. ACP connects them to healthcare, to new employment opportunities, to school, to family, and to friends.
“Without additional funding, over 22 million people, our neighbors, are at risk of losing this vital connection to opportunity and prosperity. The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society calls for swift passage of the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 so we can continue to close the digital divide and work towards truly universal broadband.” – Adrianne B. Furniss, Executive Director, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society
Community-Based Organizations:
“ConnectLakeCounty works with low-income residents in the northeast part of Illinois. We have helped over 500 people enroll in the ACP and apply their benefit to an internet plan. We’ve provided support to well over 1000 other residents to access the ACP benefit. We hear daily from residents that without the ACP they would either cancel their internet service or pause their service for a period of time. Almost 25% of the households we have helped did not previously subscribe to an internet plan. Without additional funding for the ACP countless households in Lake County, IL (the third most populous county in the state) will no longer have access to evolving technology in all aspects of their life.” – ConnectLakeCounty
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“We now live in the digital era where technology has become the foundation of our society, by ensuring the sustainability of the Affordable Connectivity Program we fortify digital connectivity as a basic human right and the path towards accessibility for all.” – Odie Gray, President, Diversity Cyber Council
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“Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AKPIRG) supports the ACP bill because this program helps 22,260 Alaskans afford the internet. Alaska has the least financially accessible internet with no plans being under $60, rather costing hundreds of dollars a month, and even multitudes of cases where families paid over a $1000 due to added fees. “- Brittany Woods-Orrison, Broadband Specialist, AKPIRG
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“Austin Urban Technology Movement supports the continued funding of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP increases access, affordability, and adoption of broadband, thus closing the digital divide and expanding digital opportunity across the United States.” – Austin Urban Technology Movement
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“As a network of providers that works across sectors to empower households with low-incomes and combat the causes and conditions of poverty, we support the expansion of the Affordable Connectivity Program. We recognize that in a world where opportunity is increasingly digital, we cannot adequately fulfill our mission without tools like the ACP program. We believe this legislation will strongly benefit families throughout Utah, especially rural Utahns and seniors.” – Community Action Partnership of Utah
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“Extending the Affordable Connectivity Program will be critical to improving the lives of those who most need it for work, school, and quality of life. Access to affordable internet is a right to every person, not a privilege to the few who can afford it.” – Neighborhood Allies
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“Epitome of Epilepsy supports the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). This is a bill we can get behind. Digital equality is extremely important and not all communities have access.” – JenVon Cherry, Founder & President, Epitome of Epilepsy
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“The Arizona Digital Inclusion Network (ADIN) endorses in the strongest possible terms the House and Senate bills soon to be introduced to continue funding the Affordable Connectivity Program. As a country, we cannot remove subsidies that are providing affordable, life-changing internet service for more than 20 Million households! We need to retain those existing benefits and continue to sign households up to ensure that all Americans who wish to be online have that opportunity.” – Arizona Digital Inclusion Network
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“Extending funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) beyond the spring of 2024 will allow many of the low-income adults that Community Tech Network (CTN) serves to continue accessing the internet. Without this subsidy, some of our learners will no longer be able to afford access. We urge Congress to pass Representatives Clarke and Fitzpatrick’s bill to continue offering ACP to communities that need it as a lifeline to information, resources, opportunities and social connections. Its positive impact on millions of Americans’ lives cannot be understated and its loss would profoundly set back the progress we’ve made in closing the largest aspect of the digital divide – internet affordability.” – Community Tech Network
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“The Sahuarita Food Bank & Community Resource Center is committed to continuation funding for affordable broadband service through the ACP. Of the 14,000 unduplicated clients we serve with food and wrap-around services, all are below 185% of the Federal Poverty level and most are economically vulnerable. In the rural areas, incomes are particularly low and the lack of digital equity severely limits access to education, jobs, healthcare, This funding can help to break the cycle of generational poverty in our service areas in Arizona south of Tucson.” – Sahuarita Food Bank & Community Resource Center
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“To bridge the digital divide, we take a three-pronged approach to digital equity, providing tech skills education, internet-ready devices, and assisting clients in applying for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) benefit. Every day in our work, we witness the impact of internet access and the ability it has to transform people’s lives. Since 2020, we have reached nearly 2,000 clients to assist with their digital needs. Through our nationally recognized digital equity project The Y-Zone, we helped over 200 families in the City of Yonkers alone apply for ACP. We have now expanded our efforts throughout Westchester County to meet the high demand for assistance with the ACP application process. The STEM Alliance strongly advocates for the support of the upcoming House and Senate bills funding the ACP.” – Margaret Käufer, President, The STEM Alliance
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“Human-I-T actively champions the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) as a cornerstone of societal progress. We not only advocate for its continued funding but are deeply engaged in hands-on initiatives to amplify its impact, providing technological resources and education to those who stand to lose the most should the ACP face defunding. Our message to Congress is clear and urgent: the defunding of the ACP is a direct blow to our collective efforts in eradicating the digital divide, and we implore you to act with conviction and foresight in preserving this essential program, aligning with our own relentless pursuit to connect, empower, and transform lives through access to life-changing technology.” – Human-I-T
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“Mississippi has historically been a poor and impoverished state ranking Number 1 in the nation with the highest poverty rate of 19.1% and 42% under the 200% poverty line. The ACP program has brought connectivity and opportunities for success to over 215 thousand households across Mississippi. Probably for the first time in history, those 215 thousand household have a chance to better themselves through accessing opportunities connectivity affords in education, healthcare and a better way of life.” – Mississippi Broadband Association
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“Tech Goes Home is encouraged by the introduction of the ACP Extension Act, which would recapitalize the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) that has made the internet more affordable and accessible for millions of individuals and families – in Massachusetts and across the country. We have seen the ACP’s positive impact firsthand: helping individuals and families do everything from exploring new employment opportunities to accessing health care to connecting with loved ones. With just months to go before millions are at risk of losing this vital support, we thank the sponsors of this legislation for taking an important step toward ensuring the ACP is funded, and we urge Congress to take swift action to protect this essential program and make sure it is sustainable for the long-term.” – Dan Noyes, CEO, Tech Goes Home
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“Online access plays a crucial role in a person’s ability to connect with essential public health information, social services, and digital healthcare services, all of which have been linked to improved health outcomes and quality of life. The Affordable Connectivity Program currently helps over 12,000 families in Tempe, AZ, including low-income older adults aged 50+ who receive reliable high-speed internet and the online access necessary to participate in modern life. The City of Tempe believes the continued funding for this program is vital to ensure low-income families in Tempe are able to remain digitally connected.” – Connect Tempe
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“As a southern Arizona non-profit organization that reaches over 1,500 adults each year in need of basic skills development, Literacy Connects strongly urges the continuation of the ACP subsidy program for low-income households. Lack of affordable internet is one of the most significant barriers for our adult learners who are trying to improve their basic skills and English language, find jobs, support their children’s education, and get adequate healthcare. We must not pull the rug out from under the 500,000 Arizonans who are finally receiving affordable internet, and urge Congress to extend the funding for ACP while we work at all levels to find permanent solutions to the national crisis of digital equity, access and inclusion.” – Literacy Connects
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“I hope it is a no-brainer that every member of Congress would support this bipartisan effort to fund the ACP, which has proven to be critical in rural communities, urban centers, and everywhere in between. Before anyone loses their internet access, Congress must act to shore up this crucial program, either as stand-alone legislation or as part of a broader funding agreement.” — Debbie Cox Bultan, CEO, NewDEAL Forum
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