Biden administration asks Republicans to extend popular broadband discount program

President Joe Biden’s administration called on Republicans in Congress to extend funding for the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a consumer broadband rebate program used by more than 23 million households. The the $14.2 billion ACP was signed into law in November 2021 and began accepting enrollments at the end of that year. The Federal Communications Commission is now winding down the program and said that though April will be the last month recipients will receive full benefits, ACP households may receive some percentage of their usual discounts in May. President Biden has been calling on Congress since October 2023 to pass legislation that would extend ACP through the end of 2024. He also included funding for the program in his 2025 budget request.