Lawmakers and advocates make last-ditch push to extend affordable internet subsidy
Millions of families will face bigger internet bills starting in May because a federal broadband subsidy program is set to expire
WASHINGTON (AP) — Twenty-three million families in the U.S. will have bigger internet bills starting in May. That's because a federal broadband subsidy program they're enrolled in is nearly out of money.
Dozens of people joined Biden administration officials, advocates and U.S. Sen. Peter Welch, a Democrat from Vermont, at a Washington public library to make a last-ditch plea to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program, a subsidy created by Congress and touted by President Joe Biden as part of his push to bring internet access to every U.S. household. The program, which is set to expire at the end of May, helps people with limited means pay their broadband bills.
The Affordable Connectivity Program, which Congress created with $14.2 billion through the bipartisan infrastructure law, provided qualifying households with a subsidy of $30 a month to help pay their internet bills. Households on tribal land received up to $75.
