[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 30 (Thursday, February 15, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM

  (Mr. FOSTER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my thoughtful 
colleagues on the other side of the aisle to join Democrats to continue 
funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program.
  Affordable internet is essential to participating in our modern 
economy and ensuring a high quality of life for workers, students, 
seniors, and families.
  That is why our Democratic majority first launched the Affordable 
Connectivity Program in 2021. Since then, it has helped lower internet 
costs for millions of Americans and nearly 700,000 households in 
Illinois, including 17,000 in my district.
  Nonetheless, unless Republicans join Democrats at the table, the ACP 
will expire in just 2 months, which would increase broadband costs and 
put internet access at risk for millions of Americans. We cannot let 
that happen.
  So I will continue fighting to ensure this critical program remains 
funded, and I hope my Republican colleagues will join me in this effort 
to keep all of our communities connected.

                          ____________________