John,

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is due to expire this month if Congress doesn’t step up to the plate and renew funding in time. This would put more than 22 million low-income families at risk of losing their internet access, worsening the digital divide between the broadband “haves” and the “have-nots.”

Passed as part of President Biden’s 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the ACP provides a $30 monthly internet stipend for households more than 200% below the poverty line -- about $30,000/year for a single adult. The stipend is increased to $75 for qualifying Native people on Tribal lands.

The bill has strong support from Republicans and Democrats in both houses of Congress, who see nothing but benefits for their constituents; but House Speaker Mike Johnson has inexplicably refused to bring it up for a vote.

Now, with a letter of support signed by more than 250 community groups, Rep.Yvette Clarke has introduced a discharge petition that would force a floor vote on the ACP Extension Act if a majority of the House signs on, even without the Speaker’s consent.

Click here to send a direct message to Congress, to demand they hold the vote and pass the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act to maintain expanded internet access for low-income families who most need it.

In their letter to all House members, the 250 groups state, “We urge you to sign the discharge petition put forth by Rep. Clarke because time is of the essence. We cannot let these families lose their vital connections merely because Congress failed to vote on an immensely popular bill with a bipartisan majority’s support.”

The results of not renewing funding for the ACP would be devastating for the affected families. Among Native people on Tribal lands, 90% lacked broadband access in 2019: 33% were using their cell phones to connect; 39% had only spotty cell phone coverage; and 18% had no internet access at all. But through the ACP, 320,000 Tribal households gained access to broadband internet. Now all these households are at risk of losing service.

All communities of color need internet access and experience, as technology becomes ever more central to all aspects of work, education, and healthcare. Thanks to the ACP, 1 in 4 Black and Latino households are now enrolled. If low-income communities again lack access to this key technology, they will be at risk of falling into an “unemployment abyss.”

29% of the families in Mike Johnson’s own Louisiana district are on the program. If the Discharge Petition passes, and the vote goes as expected, these families will be able to continue to benefit from this necessary service, despite the lack of action by their Representative, by far the most powerful legislator in the House.

Click here to send your message to Congress, to demand they pass the Discharge Petition this month and vote to continue funding for the ACP now,

Thank you for helping maintain this crucial lifeline for families that truly need it.

- Amanda

Amanda Ford, Director
Democracy for America
Advocacy Fund