[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 6 (Thursday, January 11, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H67]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                FUND THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM

  (Ms. WILD asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, as we are all aware, we are living in a 
digital age, where access to high-speed, reliable internet is a 
necessity. It is no longer a luxury. I have heard from so many 
constituents in urban and rural communities about the detrimental 
effect that slow, spotty, or a nonexistent internet connection has on 
them, whether it is trouble logging on for virtual school days, 
telehealth appointments, a job interview, or anything else.
  The Affordable Connectivity Program has allowed millions of 
Americans, including one in seven households in my district, to access 
broadband internet and, with it, expand educational and economic 
opportunities, more easily access telehealth, and connect with loved 
ones.
  With 22.5 million Americans depending on this program, you would 
think that Congress would be acting to protect the funding for the ACP, 
but you would be wrong, because extremists in the GOP leadership have 
refused to bring a bill forward to extend the funding for the 
Affordable Connectivity Program, which runs out at the end of April.
  We must get this funding done. It is far too important to every 
American.

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