On May 31, the U.S. government announced the closure of a federal program that had helped tens of millions of households afford internet access after Republicans in Congress refused to approve additional funding this spring.

According to CNN, the program's collapse could push nearly 60 million Americans into financial hardship.

The Federal Communications Commission, the agency that administers the Affordable Connect (ACP) program, said the program ends on June 1st. One in five households in the U.S. and tribal communities participate in the ACP.

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Tens of millions of low-income people in the US have benefited from affordable internet programs. Photo: ACP

Over the past 2.5 years, the ACP program has provided eligible low-income Americans with a monthly credit from their internet bill of up to $30 per month, and up to $75 per month for households living in tribal areas. Beginning during the Covid-19 pandemic, the program has served tens of millions of seniors, veterans, and Americans in both rural and urban areas.

FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said the commission is prepared to provide support if Congress can allocate additional funding for the program in the future. Additionally, the ACP has filled a critical gap that other state and local funding programs, as well as the Lifetime Internet subsidy program, have failed to address.

Some lawmakers proposed bipartisan regulations to extend the ACP but met with indifference from Republicans, according to CNN.

On May 31st, US President Joe Biden reiterated his call for Congress to pass legislation extending the ACP. He also announced a series of voluntary commitments from several ISPs to provide exclusive low-income internet packages. This list includes AT&T, Comcast, Cox, Charter's Spectrum, and Verizon...

The carriers will continue to offer eligible ACP households a broadband package for $30 or less, the White House said. Together, they expect to cover about 10 million of the 23 million households that rely on ACP.

The ACP was initially funded by Congress with a one-time budget of $14 billion. President Biden has requested $6 billion to continue the program. Kathryn de Wit, Director of Broadband Access Initiatives at the Pew Charitable Trust, points out that after the ACP ends, households will immediately see their internet bills increase. Cost is a major barrier for low-income earners. Without the ACP, they may opt for a lower-priced plan or abandon internet use altogether.

(According to CNN)