Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022 2022-11-17 Passed House Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022

This bill requires reporting on enrollment in the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program.

The Lifeline program is designed to reduce the cost of communications services for low-income consumers, and the Affordable Connectivity Program subsidizes the cost of broadband internet for low-income households. Both programs allow participants to qualify for assistance based on their participation in particular federal assistance programs (e.g., Medicaid or Federal Public Housing Assistance).

The Federal Communications Commission must report on enrollment in both programs, including the number of participants who qualify through each of the particular federal assistance programs.

Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on outreach and publicity efforts to promote participation in the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program.

]]> 2022-11-14 Reported to House Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022

This bill requires reporting on enrollment in the Lifeline program and the Affordable Connectivity Program.

The Lifeline program is designed to reduce the cost of communications services for low-income consumers, and the Affordable Connectivity Program subsidizes the cost of broadband internet for low-income households. Both programs allow participants to qualify for assistance based on their participation in particular federal assistance programs (e.g., Medicaid or Federal Public Housing Assistance).

The Federal Communications Commission must report on enrollment in both programs, including the number of participants who qualify through each of the particular federal assistance programs.

Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on outreach and publicity efforts to promote participation in each program.

]]> 2021-06-30 Introduced in House Ensuring Phone and Internet Access for SNAP Recipients Act of 2021

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to report on enrollment in the Lifeline program. The Lifeline program is designed to reduce the cost of communications services for low-income consumers, and it allows those consumers to qualify for Lifeline assistance based on their receipt of other federal assistance programs (e.g., Medicaid or Federal Public Housing Assistance).

Specifically, the FCC must submit reports on (1) enrollment in the Lifeline program by individuals who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program), and (2) the number of new broadband consumers projected to join the Lifeline program through federal assistance programs and the efficacy of various efforts to advertise the Lifeline program.

]]> text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress This file contains bill summaries for federal legislation. A bill summary describes the most significant provisions of a piece of legislation and details the effects the legislative text may have on current law and federal programs. Bill summaries are authored by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. As stated in Public Law 91-510 (2 USC 166 (d)(6)), one of the duties of CRS is "to prepare summaries and digests of bills and resolutions of a public general nature introduced in the Senate or House of Representatives". For more information, refer to the User Guide that accompanies this file.