Keep America Connected

The NewDEAL Forum is spearheading a coordinated, bipartisan effort among state and local elected officials to encourage Congress to fully fund the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides essential internet access to more than 22 million families.

How the NewDEAL Forum Leads the Way on ACP Advocacy

Since October 2023, NewDEAL Forum worked with NewDEAL Leaders from six states (Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Washington, and North Dakota) to advocate to Congress for continued ACP funding. And the Leaders, all Democrats, proactively sought out Republican partners to hammer home the point that the ACP has broad, bipartisan support across the nation. Advocacy spearheaded by NewDEAL Forum has been pivotal in pushing Congress toward finding a bipartisan solution to this funding issue, and shows that pragmatic, forward-looking policy solutions that help communities across the country are possible. 

Read the letter to Congress

ACP Background

What do I need to know about the Affordable Connectivity Program?

  • The ACP was authorized in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

  • The program provides eligible citizens $30 per month for internet service. 

  • In today’s world, internet access is a necessity, not a luxury. From virtual classroom activities to job searching to interacting with government agencies, the internet is as much a part of our lives as electricity. 

  • ACP helps keep 22.5 million households across the U.S.connected.

The Issue

What’s at stake?

  • ACP funding is set to run out in April. 

  • If Congress allows this to happen, millions of Americans who can least afford it will lose their lifeline to the internet. 

  • In January 2024, a bipartisan, bicameral coalition of Representatives and Senators introduced the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act, to provide $7 billion of necessary funding. Lead Sponsors include: Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT); Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH); Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV); Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND); Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY); and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)

  • Georgia

    Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett

    Learn more

  • Michigan

    Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II

    Learn more

  • North Carolina

    State Senator Jay Chaudhuri

    Learn more

  • North Dakota

    House Minority Leader Josh Boschee

    Learn More

  • South Carolina

    State Representative Marvin Pendarvis

    Learn more

  • Texas

    State Representative Salman Bhojani

    Learn More

  • Washington

    State Senator Marko Liias

    Learn more

ACP Resources

ACP Resources
USASpending.gov
USASpending.gov

USASpending.gov is an excellent resource for tracking where the ACP-obligated funds go and which ISPs are benefitting the most from the program. Use the search bar to filter for “Affordable Connectivity Program.” You can also filter by fiscal year and by state. After searching, you can see the recipients of ACP awards under the “Direct Payments” tab on the right. You can see the total amount awarded to a recipient by clicking its name.

EducationSuperHighway ACP Enrollment Dashboard
EducationSuperHighway ACP Enrollment Dashboard

Use the dashboard to effectively target new federal broadband funding to support Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) awareness and adoption efforts. Hover over the map to see progress in each state or click to open the dashboard for progress by city.

The Benton Institute’s ACP Enrollment Performance Tool 
The Benton Institute’s ACP Enrollment Performance Tool 

This tool was created to help any community answer the question: “How are Affordable Connectivity Program sign-ups going?”

Institute for Local Self-Reliance’s ACP Dashboard
Institute for Local Self-Reliance’s ACP Dashboard

This dashboard visualizes the data released on Affordable Connectivity Program utilization by the Universal Service Administrative Company.

ACP Enrollment and Claims Tracker
ACP Enrollment and Claims Tracker

On January 11, the FCC released an Order announcing the wind-down requirements of the Affordable Connectivity Program, due to a lack of additional funding from Congress. Providers currently participating in the ACP are strongly encouraged to review the FCC’s Order. The Order sets out requirements regarding the specific and frequent notices to enrolled ACP households about the end of the program, currently projected for April 2024.

ACP Maps, Dashboards, and Tools: Which is Right for You?
ACP Maps, Dashboards, and Tools: Which is Right for You?

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides eligible households with a subsidy toward their internet bill. While ACP is a valuable step toward digital equity for many households, we must help eligible households take advantage of ACP and guide Congress to renew the funding.

Don’t Disconnect Us
Don’t Disconnect Us

Internet access is essential to participating in today's world​, and for millions of Americans, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has helped​ them to get online. ​Despite the undisputed success of the ACP, the program will run out of funding in just over 90 days - unless Congress acts.