WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) admonished House Republicans for allowing the Affordable Connectivity Program to expire. Enacted as part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Houlahan voted for and President Joe Biden signed into law, the Affordable Connectivity Program was used by 23 million households across the country to access affordable broadband, including nearly 30,000 households in Pennsylvania’s Sixth Congressional District. Despite broad support, the Affordable Connectivity Program ceases today, April 30, due to congressional inaction.

“The way Americans connect with one another has changed rapidly in just the past few years, and it’s increasingly clear that reliable broadband is a common thread that ties us together. It’s not an exaggeration to say that taking away internet access from rural farmers, seniors, low-income students, and others harms thousands of businesses and households in Pennsylvania,” said Houlahan. “At a time when Americans, particularly our older Americans on a fixed income, are struggling to afford basic needs like broadband, we must prioritize initiatives that support our most vulnerable. It’s never too late to do the right thing, so I will continue to call on Speaker Johnson to immediately bring up a bipartisan bill to fund this necessary lifeline for thousands of our community members and millions of Americans.”

“Access to the internet depends on two things – good and reliable service and being able to afford that service. Without the Affordable Connectivity Program, many residents may not be able to afford internet access at home, significantly impacting their ability to access government services, telemedicine, school and educational opportunities, and more. I thank Rep. Houlahan for working hard to help ensure the Affordable Connectivity Program gets renewed to help level the playing field for our most vulnerable residents,” said Whitney Hoffman, a member of the Chester County Digital Alliance.

Earlier this month, Houlahan joined 96 of her New Democrat Coalition colleagues in calling on Speaker Mike Johnson to take action and continue funding the program.

“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,” the members wrote.

Read the full text of the letter here.

President Joe Biden also requested additional funds to support the program.

Read the White House fact sheet about the positive impact of the Affordable Connectivity Program for Pennsylvanians here.

Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, an engineer, a serial entrepreneur, an educator, and a nonprofit leader. She represents Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. She is the recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award which “recognizes members who demonstrate the bipartisan leadership and constructive governing necessary to move our country forward” and the Congressional Management Foundation’s 2022 Democracy Award for best Constituent Services in Congress.

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