HTTP Continues and Celebrates #ExtendACP Week of Action
The Affordable Connectivity Program has accomplished more to drive social and economic development by bridging our country’s digital opportunity divide than any other stand-alone effort in our nation’s history. With over 23 million households enrolled across all 50 states, territories, and federally recognized Tribal Lands, the success, reach, and impact of the program are unmatched.
Established originally as the Emergency Broadband Benefit and signed into law under President Trump, and then renamed by Congress as the Affordable Connectivity Program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act. This game-changing, market driven approach to expanding digital connectivity has effectively created new onramps to shared prosperity and economic growth nationwide.
Of the 23 million households enrolled, nearly half are military families, 19% are households with seniors, and 26% live in rural communities. Notably, Louisiana (31%), Kentucky (26%), and New York (23%) are among the top five states in terms of ACP enrollment per household.
Not only has the Affordable Connectivity Program proven itself to be a practical investment delivering long term dividends in every sector, research has shown that higher levels of broadband adoption lead to higher incomes, and lower unemployment.
Unfortunately, without congressional action, the ACP is on the brink of shutting down due to lack of funding, resulting in potentially millions of households including vulnerable seniors, veterans, school-aged children, and residents of rural and Tribal communities losing the internet connections they need to contribute and benefit from today’s modern economy.
In a rare bipartisan consensus, continuing the ACP is backed by a strong majority of voters including 62% of Republicans, 78% of Independents, and 96% of Democrats. 80% of adults 50+ also support funding the program.
The ACP is also strongly supported by a bipartisan cross-section of Members of Congress, including the Rural Broadband Caucus, Problem Solvers Caucus and Tri-Caucus, Governors across the country, the US Conference of Mayors, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Association of Counties, the US Chamber of Commerce, and countless of prominent non-profit organizations, along with many other civil society and community-based organizations, municipalities, and corporations alike.
Unless Congress extends funding for the ACP, this vital program will end, and with it an important resource to help American households connect and stay connected.
As a part of a national #ExtendACP Week of Action (which happened April 22-26), and continuing the call to take actionable steps, we still need your help to educate policy makers in Congress on the importance of extending funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program to prevent a catastrophic lapse in service for millions of households across the country. #ExtendACP
With final funding for the ACP set to expire in early May this is an important and potentially final opportunity for us to engage to ensure congressional action to extend this important program.
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, is aiming to introduce a bill that would restore the Federal Communications Commission’s spectrum auction authority for five years, as well as provide funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program and the rip and replace program. The committee is planning to vote on the bill May 1, 2024.
Let’s make sure that extending funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is at the top of their list.
Click on the button below to send an email to your representative and encourage your network to do the same. Every. Click. Makes. A Difference. Our partners have made this super easy. Enter your address and a pre populated email appears (that you can customize if you would like). Click send and that is it!
Join an In Person Rally April 30 in D.C.
Join Public Knowledge, Civic Nation, National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC), National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), and Digital Progress Institute (DPI) for a public rally on Tuesday, April 30th at 11:30 am at the Shaw/Watha T. Daniel Library to fight for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)!
When: Tuesday, April 30 at 11:30 a.m. ET
What else can you do? Keep the Conversation going!
Click here to email your member of Congress and let them know that you would like them to #extendACP funding through the end of the year.
Click here to call your member of Congress and let them know why this program matters.
Share! Share! Share! like, and comment on these infographics and help spread the word. Every action makes a difference, and together we can ensure everyone, everywhere has the internet connection they need to participate in today’s modern economy.
WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS! Let’s continue to share stories of impact and success of the Affordable Connectivity Program. Your Members of Congress are back in D.C. today — join us in making this last push to engage before program funds run out in early May. Every Action Makes a Difference.
