Sen Cruz to propose extending Affordable Connectivity Program—with big changes

Sen Ted Cruz (R-TC) will propose plans May 16 to maintain the Affordable Connectivity Program in a slimmed-down new form. Though Cruz’s plan contains a number of provisions unpalatable to Democrats and may be unlikely to be adopted as-is, it could inform how Democrats and Republicans negotiate any terms for saving the broadband benefit, which is running out of money. Cruz’s plans show his most detailed thinking yet about how to preserve some version of a program that currently helps about 23 million low-income households pay their monthly broadband bills. The Cruz plan would tighten the eligibility requirements of the Affordable Connectivity Program to more narrowly target the neediest households. It would slash the monthly subsidy in urban areas from $30 to $10 and impose other verification requirements, including the use of the last four digits of individuals’ Social Security Numbers. An able-bodied adult without dependents would be restricted from receiving the subsidies. The proposal would also seek to prevent duplication with an existing older subsidy effort known as the Lifeline Program, which subsidizes phone and internet service for low-income households, by mandating that the Federal Communications Commission end Lifeline’s broadband support.