Slew of ACP Bills Introduced as Congress Races to Renew Internet Subsidy

More than 1 in 5 households with an internet subscription in the US utilize the Affordable Connectivity Program, and it’s almost unanimously supported by voters: Polling from Public Opinion Strategies and RG Strategies shows that 78% of voters want to extend the ACP, including 64% of Republicans, 70% of independents and 95% of Democrats. A recent study from the Chamber of Progress also found ACP subscribers will lose $10 billion in work opportunities, $1.4 billion in telehealth savings and $627 million in student benefits if the program expires. Without immediate action, ACP recipients will receive just $14 off their bills in May and nothing after that. Voices as far across the aisle as President Joe Biden and Sen J.D. Vance (R-OH) have called for an extension over the past few months, but nothing has come close to a vote yet. Recently, however, some life has been breathed into the expiring ACP with a batch of new bills being introduced to Congress. Sen Maria Cantwell (D-WA) is trying to attach funding to the Senate and National Security Act. Sen John Fetterman (D-PA) introduced a bill that would remove the ACP from the appropriations process and add it to the Universal Service Fund.