The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 is gathering immediate support from industry leaders, like Tom Ferree, the chairman and CEO of Connected Nation.

Connected Nation, a national non-profit with a mission of advocating for expanded access and the adoption of broadband, also called on Congress to make the ACP “more stable” through reform of the Universal Service Fund.

“The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), borne out of necessity in response to the urgent connectivity needs exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has become an essential program to ensure that millions of American families can afford quality home Internet access,” Ferree said, in a statement released Jan. 10.

The CEO of Connected Nation continued.

“With program funding projected to be fully exhausted by April, there is an urgent need for Congress to act to preserve this vitally important lifeline—no less important than securing clean water and safe roads,” he said. “We strongly encourage Congress to pass the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 to fund the program for the balance of 2024, and then act urgently on broader federal USF reform so that there is a stable and permanent funding stream for ACP that Americans can rely on.”

The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 has been sponsored in the House of Representatives by members of Congress from both parties, like Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).

Nearly 23 million households nationwide rely on the program, which provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands, according to the FCC.

Households are eligible for the ACP if their income is at or below 200 percent of poverty guidelines set by the government.

If The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 is passed, it would provide an additional $7 billion to fund the program, according to a release from Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), who is co-sponsoring the legislation in the U.S. Senate.