More than 20 million low-income households are at risk of being priced out of internet access unless Congress can reach agreement on funding for a program that provides internet service discounts.
Supporters of the Affordable Connectivity Program are pressing for passage of bipartisan, bicameral legislation to keep it afloat past April, when funding is expected to run out. That outcome may depend on Congress’ ability to pass appropriations measures to prevent a government shutdown, and some supporters are worried that it’s not a priority for Republican leadership.
“We’ll attach it to anything,” Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., said of the legislation at a news conference last week. “We just are going to try to do whatever we can because we don’t want this program to expire. Because if it does it’s going to be very detrimental to all these people that need internet access.”
