U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) is supporting the effort to approve a $7 billion extension of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
The ACP — enacted in Nov. 2021 as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act — represented a $14.2 billion modification to the existing Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program).
Under the program, eligible low-income households can receive up to $30 per month off of their internet bill, while households on qualifying Tribal Lands may receive as much as $75 per month. One-time grants are also available for the purchase of laptops, desktop computers, or tablets.
Current estimates suggest that the ACP is set to run out of funds by April of this year unless additional appropriations are made by lawmakers.
Last November Gov. Janet Mills (D) called for the ACP’s extension alongside twenty-five other governors nationwide, including twenty-one Democrats, four Republicans, and one New Progressive.
“Whether you live in a rural area, a suburb, or a city, every American needs access to high-speed internet,” Gov. Mills wrote in her November press release. “Preserving the ACP will allow us to build upon the progress we’ve made in expanding connectivity rather than falling behind in a mission we cannot afford to lose.”
Rep. Pingree is joined in her support of an extension by Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), as well as Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
“One in 8 households in Maine’s 1st District have benefited from the Affordable Connectivity Program, but if Congress doesn’t act now, the program will run out of funding as soon as this spring,” Pingree said in a statement. “Congress must build on the progress we have made to close the digital divide and keep this vital program funded.”
Click Here to Read Rep. Pingree’s Full Press Release
According to a fact sheet provided by the Biden Administration, Maine has received $44 million to date for the program, with more than $16 million benefiting households in Congressional District 1 (CD 1) and $27.5 million going toward those in Congressional District 2 (CD 2).
An estimated 95,836 households across the state are enrolled in the program, a population comprised of 35,812 households in CD 1 and 60,134 in CD 2.
Click Here to Read the Full Fact Sheet from the Biden Administration
Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 (S.3565) was introduced in the United States Senate by Sen. Welch on January 10, 2024.
Why not??? It’s not her money.
Of course, the gov’t COULD just nationalize all broadband and run it at cost…just as it could all utilities…THAT would probably save us all a bundle of money….
Robbing Peter to pay Paul for his vote 🤬