In 2024, families need quality and affordable broadband. Full stop. Whether for academic, professional or personal use, access to the internet is vital for children and adults to succeed and thrive in today’s economy.
It's especially important for Black families who continue to deal with racist policies and practices that impede economic mobility. Nearly 30% of Black households do not have a broadband connection at home. And Black households in dense, urban areas like Baltimore and Chicago are twice as likely to not have a high-speed internet subscription compared to white households. More than 1 in 5 Black Americans struggle to pay for broadband connection because they live below the poverty line.
This is why Congress must act quickly to pass the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a benefit program through the Federal Communications Commission that provides $14.2 billion to help ensure households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, health care and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. This program was included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (more commonly known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) to expand high-speed broadband across 50 U.S. states and territories.
If this program is discontinued, low-income families who have been benefiting from this program will have a harder time paying for internet service. Funding for ACP is set to expire on April 30. That should not and cannot happen.
Funding for this program NEEDS to be a priority for Congress and impacts people regardless of their political party affiliation. With ACP funding set to expire at the end of April, members of Congress regardless of their party affiliation, must act. Email your member of Congress and urge that they pass the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024.
Sincerely,
[your name will go here] [your location will go here]
Color Of Change will keep your constituents informed about your position on this issue.
