The U.S. government announced on May 31 that it was shutting down the federal program that has helped tens of millions of households afford Internet service after Republicans in Congress refused to approve additional funding this spring.

According to CNN, the program's collapse could push nearly 60 million Americans into financial difficulty.

The Federal Communications Commission, which administers the Affordable Connection Program (ACP), said the program ends June 1. One in five households in the United States and tribes participate in the ACP.

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Tens of millions of low-income people in the US benefit from cheap Internet programs. Photo: ACP

For the past 2.5 years, the ACP program has provided eligible low-income Americans with a monthly credit from their internet bill of up to $30 per month and up to $75 per month for households living on tribal lands. Launched during the Covid-19 pandemic, the program has served tens of millions of seniors, veterans, and rural and urban Americans.

FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said the commission stands ready to support the program if Congress can provide additional funding in the future. Additionally, the ACP fills an important gap that other state and local funding programs and the Lifetime Internet Grant program cannot address.

Some lawmakers have proposed bipartisan legislation to extend the ACP but have been met with Republican indifference, according to CNN.

On May 31, US President Joe Biden reiterated his call for Congress to pass legislation extending the ACP. He also announced a series of voluntary commitments by several ISPs to offer exclusive low-income internet plans. The list includes AT&T, Comcast, Cox, Charter's Spectrum and Verizon...

The carriers will continue to offer eligible ACP households a broadband plan for $30 or less, the White House said. Together, they are expected to cover about 10 million of the 23 million households that rely on ACP.

The ACP was originally funded by Congress with a one-time budget of $14 billion. President Biden has requested $6 billion to continue the program. Kathryn de Wit, director of the broadband access initiative at the Pew Charitable Trusts, points out that households will immediately see their internet bills increase after the ACP ends. Cost is a major barrier for low-income people. Without the ACP, they may opt for a lower package or skip using the internet altogether.

(According to CNN)