House Republicans Set to Raise Monthly Internet Costs; 1 in 4 Household Beneficiaries Are Latino

Tomorrow, full funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) will expire, forcing millions of families to face stark price hikes on their monthly internet bills. This increase will have significant impacts on the program's beneficiaries, 1 in 4 of whom are Latino households who have seen lower internet costs as a result of the program.

The ACP - a product of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - serves over 23 million American households, providing discounts for monthly internet bills.

A recent survey conducted by the FCC found that more than two-thirds of beneficiaries to the ACP said they had inconsistent or no internet service prior to the program's existence. The vast majority of Latinos impacted by a lack of access to broadband live in rural communities across the south, represented by Republicans opposed to funding the program. During the pandemic, reporting exposed the digital divide experienced by some Latino students, with some having to sit outside a library or McDonald's to get access to the internet.

A majority of House Republicans - including their most vulnerable members - have endorsed pulling the plug on this important program, while House Democrats have introduced common-sense legislation to replenish the fund to keep monthly bills low for millions of Americans, including hardworking Latinos, who rely on access to affordable internet.

DCCC Spokesperson José Muñoz:
"Millions of hardworking Latino families, especially those living in rural America, have seen lower costs as a result of the Affordable Connectivity Program. Unfortunately, many of these households will now have to pay higher costs because House Republicans are more interested in tax breaks for the ultra rich than working in a bipartisan way to help working families afford to stay online."

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