May 21, 2024 — 2 min read
Two new proposals to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) have surfaced recently. This program aids 23 million low-income U.S. households with broadband costs but is set to expire soon.
First Proposal:
- Rep. Brandon Williams (R-New York) introduced a bill (H.R. 8466) to allocate $6 billion to the ACP by amending the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024.
- Anti-Fraud Measures: Requires eligible households to enroll through the National Verifier or National Lifeline Accountability Database to prevent multiple enrollments and fraud.
- Continued Eligibility: Current beneficiaries will receive benefits for 180 days after the bill's passage, regardless of future eligibility.
- No Taxpayer Burden: Funding will come from existing federal resources.
- Details Pending: The bill’s text is not yet released, and no changes to the $30 monthly benefit were mentioned.
Second Proposal:
- Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) proposed reducing the monthly subsidy for urban areas from $30 to $10.
- Stricter Verification: Participants must provide the last four digits of their Social Security numbers.
- No Overlap with Lifeline Program: Suggests ending Lifeline’s broadband support to avoid duplication. Lifeline currently offers up to $9.25 off phone or internet services for eligible consumers.
- Exclusions: Able-bodied adults without dependents would be excluded from ACP subsidies.
- Criticism of ACP: Cruz has accused the FCC of mismanaging the ACP and failing to detect fraud. Last December, he led a letter criticizing the program as wasteful.
Bipartisan Support and Other Efforts:
- The ACP enjoys voter support but faces government contention.
- Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) proposed allowing the FCC to borrow $7 billion from the Treasury to support the ACP.
- Other stalled legislation includes the ACP Extension Act, aiming to allocate $7 billion for the program.
https://brandonwilliams.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1823&ref=broadbandbreakfast.com