News
Recent comments from the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors have again called on the U.S. Congress to renew funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and warned of the consequences of letting the program expire.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
The U.S. Conference of Mayors, through the organization’s president, has again repeated calls for Congress to renew funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which is set to expire at the end of this month.
“Quality internet is not a luxury in America; it is critical to education, economic opportunity, good health, and societal connection,” said Reno, Nevada Mayor Hillary Schieve, the president of the U.S Conference of Mayors. “With a digital divide that has long contributed to chronic inequity in America, the ACP has given people a lifeline.”
Schieve said Congress cannot pull the plug “after all the progress we’ve made to strengthen our cities.”
Her comments, provided to the media by the organization this week, bluntly stated that the ACP should not be about politics.
“Congress must put aside its partisan differences, embrace the spirit of the bipartisan infrastructure law and act to renew this critical program,” Schieve said. “All Americans deserve to have access to quality and affordable broadband and mayors will continue to fight until this program is extended for all those who depend on it.”
Earlier this year, the U.S. Conference of Mayors sent a letter urging renewed ACP funding addressed to Congressional leaders in both parties. The letter, signed by 174 mayors, was sent in January.
“Extending the Affordable Connectivity Program will help close the digital divide, allow Americans to access the resources they need, and strengthen the U.S. economy to compete in the 21st Century,” the letter stated.
The letter was signed by Democratic and Republican mayors, like Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego (D) and Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker (R). It argued that access to high-quality broadband is essential for Americans.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel recently said the end of the ACP would have broad consequences across the nation with the impacts most being felt among senior citizens, veterans, residents of tribal communities, rural residents, and school-aged children.
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.
Despite efforts to renew funding for the program, including a push to approve The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024, the Republican led U.S. House of Representatives has still failed to approve the measure.
Providers have already been notified to the program’s impending end date by the FCC.
As previously reported, according to a study commissioned by the FCC, 68 percent of ACP households had inconsistent connectivity or zero connectivity before the program began and over 75 percent of ACP households expect their service will be disrupted if the ACP ends.
