WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) recently co-led the introduction of the Secure and Affordable Broadband Extension Act alongside Congressman Mike Carey (OH-15) and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13). This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would renew the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal program that helped low-income households access high-speed internet. Congresswoman Kiggans is one of nine original cosponsors of the bill.
For nearly three years, the ACP helped families access the high-speed internet services they need to work remotely, complete online coursework, attend telehealth appointments, and more. However, the program ran out of funding in May – ending assistance for over 23 million American households, including over 46,000 in Hampton Roads. The Secure and Affordable Broadband Extension Act would restore the program and provide eligible households with a monthly discount of up to $30 per month off the cost of their internet service.
“Virginia families need reliable, affordable internet access for essential healthcare services, education, and employment opportunities,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “I am proud to be one of the lawmakers leading the bipartisan effort to renew the Affordable Connectivity Program to ensure the nearly 50,000 people in Hampton Roads who rely on it can continue to access critical high-speed internet services.”
Importantly, in addition to restoring internet assistance for low-income Americans, this legislationwould also replace wireless internet equipment from Chinese Communist Party-associated corporations, like Huawei and ZTE, which have come under scrutiny for potential national security threats.
“Access to high-speed internet isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “For nearly three years, the Affordable Connectivity Program’s $30 monthly credit helped connect nearly 23 million low-income households to internet access. This includes 50,000 families in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. But despite its success, Congress failed to keep this transformative program funded. Today, I’m introducing a bipartisan compromise to renew the Affordable Connectivity Program for families in Central and Southern Illinois and across the country.”
“Internet access opens doors, from helping kids do their homework to learning new skills and applying for jobs. Unfortunately, close to a million Ohioans lack access to high-speed internet. This bill will close that gap. That’s why we’re proud to join Rep. Budzinski in this effort to make sure every American has reliable, affordable internet access,” said Congressman Carey.
The Secure and Affordable Broadband Extension Act has been endorsed by AARP, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Common Sense Media, Benton Institute, Accolade, Public Knowledge, INCOMPAS, R Street Institute, Affordable Broadband Campaign, New America, Emerios, Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) and CTIA.
“The internet is no longer optional – it’s essential. Without broadband, our local communities cannot access opportunities in education, and employment, nor speak out online and exercise their First Amendment rights,” said Jenna Leventoff, Senior Policy Counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union. “Households who struggle to afford broadband shouldn’t have to sacrifice other necessities to stay connected. Unfortunately, the primary program to help low-income households connect to the internet, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), proved so necessary that it ran out of funding. The Secure and Affordable Broadband Extension Act would revitalize ACP so that families in need can continue to connect.”
“The R Street Institute is proud to support this bipartisan proposal to extend both rip and replace and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) without increasing the deficit,” said Jonathan Cannon, Policy Counsel Technology & Innovation at the R Street Institute. “This bill features meaningful reforms to ensure that ACP targets those most in need of the benefit and streamlines eligibility requirements. By temporarily extending the ACP, R Street hopes this will support the efforts of the Universal Service Fund (USF) working group as they pursue a long term solution and permanent home for ACP. Additionally, the rip and replace funding will provide much needed funds to finish removing unsecure Chinese equipment from our networks, closing a critical vulnerability.”
“OTI is grateful for the contributions of these Representatives, who are joining their colleagues in the Senate in a bipartisan effort to ensure Americans stay connected,” said Lilian Coral, Head of OTI and Vice President for Technology and Democracy programs at New America. “Refunding the Affordable Connectivity Program will help the millions of low-income American households who have experienced greater difficulty paying their internet bills following the ACP’s wind-down. The internet is essential to American life, and as we face persistent fears of inflation, the uncertainty of AI’s impact on our workforce, and continuously rising levels of disinformation and polarization, we should not leave Americans behind.”
“Today, Congress signaled the importance of renewing the successful Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) with the introduction of the Secure and Affordable Broadband Extension Act, a companion bill to S. 4317,” said Amy Huffman, Policy Director at the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. “The lapse of ACP funding has left millions of older adults, students, and families without internet access and forced local digital inclusion practitioners to return to inadequate, unsustainable solutions. We applaud Congress’s bipartisan support and commitment to renewing funding for the most successful broadband affordability program in US history, which helped 23+ million households get and stay online. On behalf of the 1,700 digital inclusion programs we represent, we urge Congress to act quickly to fast-track this legislation and reverse the devastating impact that ACP’s end has had on household budgets across the country.”
“Fully funding the Rip and Replace Program is critical to securing our nation’s networks, including those serving rural areas, military bases, airports, and other areas of strategic importance,” said Tim Donovan, CCA’s President and CEO. “Absent full funding, millions of Americans face complete loss of connectivity and jeopardized access to emergency services. Additionally, the ACP helps bridge the digital divide, benefiting 23 million households, including seniors and veterans, many in the same areas affected by the potential loss of service due to the Rip and Replace shortfall. Addressing both of these issues immediately is critical for supporting and maintaining connectivity across the country, especially in rural areas and low-income communities.”
“Emerios is appreciative of the bi-partisan efforts to extend broadband participation with the introduction of the Secure and Affordable Broadband Extension Act,” said Brock Crowe, Business Development Manager, Emerios. “Passing the Act will provide key reforms needed to help rural and military households achieve reliable broadband, enhancing their ability to participate in today’s economy and improve and reduce the cost of healthcare. Emerios’ mission is to end the digital divide by enabling leading broadband providers to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, while improving their customer experience through our enrollment, fraud prevention, and engagement platform.”
The full text of the Secure and Affordable Broadband Extension Act can be found here.
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