Rep. Carbajal Continues Push to Extend Federal Internet Affordability Program Supporting 38,000 Central Coast ResidentsThe Affordable Connectivity Program, created through Rep. Carbajal’s work on Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides monthly support to lower internet connectivity costs across the U.S.
Washington,
March 26, 2024
Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) is continuing his push to preserve the Affordable Connectivity Program, the federal internet affordability program that is lowering monthly internet bills for more than 38,000 Central Coast households. The Affordable Connectivity Program was created by Rep. Carbajal and his colleagues through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021. The funding for the program is projected to begin running out of funds next month. Last week, Rep. Carbajal joined Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and 157 of their colleagues in a bipartisan letter to congressional leaders urging them to work to preserve the Affordable Connectivity Program. “We request that Congressional Leadership take action in the immediate future to prevent a lapse in funding that would result in a wind-down of the program. At a time when broadband accessibility is more important than ever, we cannot afford to lose the progress we have made in our efforts to bridge the digital divide,” the members wrote. “Allowing the ACP to lapse for any length of time will result in a loss in trust in the program and the federal government among consumers who have come to rely on the monthly benefit and must be avoided at all costs. A potential wind-down followed by an attempt to re-enroll customers may prove too costly to providers, disincentivizing future participation in the program. We must prioritize keeping the program alive for the duration of this year to allow Congress the opportunity to reach agreement without undoing the progress made to close the digital divide.” The ACP offers eligible households a discount of up to $30 a month on the internet bills, enabling more families to have access to the internet for their school, business, and everyday needs. The program provides similar discounts of up to $75 a month for qualifying families on tribal land. The ACP also provides one-time discounts for the purchase of home computers to further assist in closing the digital divide. According to the Federal Communications Commission, one out of six households in the United States currently relies on the ACP – with nearly 24 million households enrolled as of March 2024. Across the Central Coast, more than 38,000 households are enrolled in the program – which has provided more than $20 million in assistance to the region since 2021. Rep. Carbajal has been pushing to extend funding for the program since the summer of 2023. He is a cosponsor of legislation to provide an additional $7 billion to the program to extend funding beyond its spring 2024 lapse. |
