Could the Election Revive the Affordable Connectivity Program?

When millions of Americans cast their ballots on Election Day, the Affordable Connectivity Program won't be up for a vote, but the results could dictate whether we see an internet subsidy of its size again. The ACP was passed in 2021 as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, when Congress dedicated $14.2 billion to making the internet more affordable to low-income users. It gave low-income users $30 each month toward their home internet costs (or $70 for those living on tribal lands). By the time it ended in May 2024, the ACP had enrolled more than 23 million households, including more than 10 million veterans. Since it expired in May, several ACP extension bills have been introduced in Congress, but none have made it out of committee, even though the program is widely popular among voters. Some policy insiders attribute that to election year politics.