White House urges Congress to extend internet subsidy program

• The White House is urging Congress to extend an internet subsidy program utilized by 23 million American households earlier than its funding expires.
• Last October, the White House requested $6 billion to extend the program by December 2024, however Congress has not but funded it.
• April marks the ultimate month for individuals to obtain the complete subsidy, with partial subsidies in May.

The White House plans to renew a push in April to persuade Congress to extend an internet subsidy program utilized by 23 million American households simply weeks earlier than it runs out of cash, officers mentioned.

In October, the White House requested for $6 billion to extend the program by December 2024, however Congress has not funded it, doubtlessly placing hundreds of thousands of households vulnerable to shedding their internet service.

Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworcel advised lawmakers in a letter that April is the final month individuals will get the complete subsidy, with partial subsidies in May.

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Congress beforehand allotted $17 billion to assist lower-income households and other people impacted by COVID-19 acquire broadband entry by a $30 monthly voucher to use towards internet service.

The White House plans to renew a push in April to persuade Congress to extend an internet subsidy program utilized by 23 million American households simply weeks earlier than it runs out of cash, officers mentioned. (Robert Alexander/Getty Images)

“We have come too far to allow this successful effort to promote internet access for all to end,” Rosenworcel mentioned on Tuesday. “Despite the breadth of this support and the urgent need to continue this program to ensure millions of households nationwide do not lose essential internet access, no additional funding has yet been appropriated.”

The FCC froze enrollment on Feb. 8 for brand spanking new customers.

The White House says the plan, often known as the Affordable Connectivity Program, helps customers save over $500 million monthly on their internet payments.

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Verizon, Comcast and AT&T, have all referred to as for Congress to extend the program.

Bipartisan laws launched by Senators Peter Welch, JD Vance, Jacky Rosen and Kevin Cramer would supply $7 billion for the program. A invoice to fund the program for one-year has been launched within the House and is backed by 216 members.

The FCC cited a survey that if the program ends, greater than three-quarters of the households within the program “would experience service disruption or would have to change their existing plan or stop service altogether.”