Rep. Carson urges Speaker Johnson to prevent 23 million households from losing internet access

Washington, D.C.- Today, Congressman André Carson (IN-07) renewed calls to House Speaker Mike Johnson and his Republican colleagues to take immediate bipartisan action to fund the Affordable Connectivity Program. The Affordable Connectivity Program saves eligible Americans up to $75 a month on their internet bills and provides a one-time discount on a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. The program expires today, April 30.

As of this month, 23 million American households are saving $30-$75 a month on their internet bills thanks to the Affordable Connectivity Program, including 425,968 in Indiana - which amounts to 1 in 6 households in the state. The program was enacted as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2021, which Congressman Carson championed as a senior Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Without additional funding from Congress, the Affordable Connectivity Program will cease entirely on April 30, and millions of households across the country could lose crucial internet access.

"High-quality, affordable, and high-speed internet access is necessary to succeed in our 21st-century economy," said Congressman Carson. "The Affordable Connectivity Program had provided immediate, direct cost-savings to millions of households - and they deserve this relief to continue. I call on my colleagues to pass the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act to ensure Americans don't see an increase on their internet bills after three years of a successful, popular program."

Congressman Carson joined 94 of his New Democrat Coalition colleagues in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson calling on House Republican Leadership to take immediate bipartisan action to fund the Affordable Connectivity Program. The New Democrat Coalition is made up of pragmatic House Democrats who work across the aisle to advance innovative, inclusive, and forward-looking policies. Congressman Carson is also a cosponsor of the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024, which would extend and fund the program for Fiscal Year 2024.

The letter to Speaker Johnson reads in part:

"As New Dems, we are committed to fighting to lower everyday costs for Americans; letting the ACP lapse will lead to a direct increase in broadband costs for consumers. We reaffirm our call to House Republicans to deliver for the American people and provide the ACP with the funding it needs without delay."

You can read the full letter here, and below:

Dear Speaker Johnson,

In the nearly three years since the establishment of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, millions of American households have received aid from the ACP to access affordable broadband and participate in the 21st century economy. Without the monthly benefit the ACP provides, many Americans will lose access to distance learning, telemedicine, the online marketplace, and the numerous benefits that high-speed internet provides in everyday life.

We are disappointed that despite the incredible impact on the 23 million households that have enrolled across the country, House Republican Leadership has blocked any consideration of the funding it needs to keep running, pushing us towards the program's extinction. At a time of rising costs, Republican Leadership refuses to support this critical program that saves communities money. If Congress does not provide additional funding, April is the last month the full ACP benefit will be provided, and, in May, households will see changes in their bill. More than three-quarters of ACP-enrolled households could either experience a disruption or lose access to the internet entirely.We cannot let this happen.

As New Dems, we are committed to fighting to lower everyday costs for Americans; letting the ACP lapse will lead to a direct increase in broadband costs for consumers. We reaffirm our call to House Republicans to deliver for the American people and provide the ACP with the funding it needs without delay. In January 2024, the bipartisan, bicameral Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act was introduced, and, if adopted, would provide an additional $7 billion for the ACP. This Act has broad support, including over 224 co-sponsors. We stand ready and willing to partner with you and the Republican Conference to keep Americans connected to the internet.

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