NewDEAL Forum Spearheads Bipartisan Effort to Save the ACP
Top Line: NewDEAL Forum spearheaded a coordinated, bipartisan effort among state and local elected officials to encourage Congress to fully fund the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides essential internet access to more than 22 million families.
ACP Background:
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. (link)
The Issue:
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 (link). 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)
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 (link) 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.
GEORGIA:
Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett, a co-chair of the NewDEAL Forum’s Broadband Task Force, sent a letter to Congress (along with the other co-chairs of the Broadband Task Force) calling for $7 billion in ACP funding. Highlights from the Oct. 30, 2023 letter:
Access to affordable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity for millions of Americans to fully participate in today's digital economy.”
“ACP is a vital initiative that prevented millions of Americans from falling behind economically during the pandemic, and it is essential to the progress of other federal broadband investments and the ongoing pursuit of digital equity.”
MICHIGAN:
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, a co-chair of the NewDEAL Forum’s Broadband Task Force, sent a letter to Congress (along with the other co-chairs of the Broadband Task Force) calling for $7 billion in ACP funding. Highlights from the Oct. 30, 2023 letter:
Access to affordable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity for millions of Americans to fully participate in today's digital economy.”
“ACP is a vital initiative that prevented millions of Americans from falling behind economically during the pandemic, and it is essential to the progress of other federal broadband investments and the ongoing pursuit of digital equity.”
NORTH CAROLINA:
NewDEAL Leader and state Sen. Jay Chaudhuri, a co-chair of the NewDEAL Forum’s Broadband Task Force, sent a letter to Congress (along with the other co-chairs of the Broadband Task Force) calling for $7 billion in ACP funding. Highlights from the Oct. 30, 2023 letter:
Access to affordable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity for millions of Americans to fully participate in today's digital economy.”
“ACP is a vital initiative that prevented millions of Americans from falling behind economically during the pandemic, and it is essential to the progress of other federal broadband investments and the ongoing pursuit of digital equity.”
NewDEAL Leader and state Sen. Jay Chaudhuri, along with Republican state Sen. Kevin Corbin, wrote a letter to numerous members of the North Carolina congressional delegation calling for adequate ACP funding. From the Jan. 31, 2024 letter:
“The ACP is an essential component of North Carolina’s economic growth, workforce development, and innovation. Allowing the ACP to end would be a great disservice to our residents who rely on the program to access vital online services and resources. We urge you to support the bipartisan bill to allocate $7 billion in additional funding for the ACP. This is an essential step toward making the ACP permanent and the internet affordable.”
NORTH DAKOTA:
NewDEAL Leader and North Dakota House Minority Leader Josh Boschee, along with Republican state Rep. Mike Brandenburg, wrote letters to North Dakota Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Kramer, and North Dakota Rep. Kelly Armstrong, calling on Congress to fully fund the ACP. From the Jan. 10, 2024 letter:
“The ACP benefits people whether they have access to broadband or not. Where broadband is available, the ACP allows lower-income subscribers to afford internet speeds and devices sufficient for key online activities, like education, healthcare, employment, banking, and public services. Where broadband is not available, the ACP provides incremental incentive for the deployment of new broadband infrastructure. The North Dakota Information Technology team lists ACP in their BEAD program proposal, as a key program in the state’s efforts to lower the cost barrier for home internet. ACP is already the state’s largest program to address broadband affordability, and the state’s 5-year plan outlines the importance of continuing to raise awareness and adoption of the program.”
NewDEAL Leader and North Dakota House Minority Leader Josh Boschee, along with Republican state Rep. Mike Brandenburg, published an op-ed appearing in both the Bismarck Tribune and Wahpeton Daily News calling on Congress to fully fund the ACP. From the op-ed:
“Voting to protect the ACP should be a no-brainer for every member of Congress for three very simple reasons. The program is popular, has bipartisan support, and it works.”
WASHINGTON:
NewDEAL Leader and Washington state Sen. Marko Liias, along with Republican state Sen. Matt Boehnke, wrote a letter to Washington Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray requesting adequate funding for ACP to continue. From the Dec. 18, 2023 letter:
“The ACP is a critical program for Washington. Our state is receiving over $2 billion to build and improve broadband infrastructure, provide devices to those who lack them, and promote the adoption of technology among our least connected communities. This is the largest and most comprehensive investment in digital equity our state has ever made. If Congress allows the ACP to lapse, even for a short time, every aspect of this historic investment will be undercut.”
ABOUT US:
The NewDEAL Forum is a Washington-DC based non-profit organization which identifies and promotes innovative, future-oriented state and local pro-growth progressive policies that can improve the lives of all Americans. By facilitating the identification and spread of policy ideas, the NewDEAL Forum seeks to foster economic growth, reduce barriers to opportunity and promote good government in communities, cities and states throughout the country.
