Rep. Sykes, New Democrat Coalition Members Call On House Majority Leadership To Extend Affordable Connectivity Program, Prevent 23 Million Households from Losing Internet Access
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) joined New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Chair Annie Kuster (NH-02), Rep. Shontel Brown (OH-11) and other NDC members for a press conference calling on House Republican Leadership to take immediate action to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program, which would preserve affordable internet access for 23 million American households.
“In today’s age, access to the internet isn’t a luxury — it’s a critical resource that people in my district depend on for their livelihoods. 84,755 households from across Ohio’s 13th District rely on the Affordable Connectivity Program for affordable internet, and my office has received thousands of emails from constituents across the political spectrum worried about how they will afford internet if funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program runs out at the end of the month,” said Rep. Sykes. “I promised people in Ohio’s 13th District that I would work to lower their everyday costs, and that’s exactly what I intend to do by fighting to keep the Affordable Connectivity Program funded.”
Without Congressional action, the ACP will run out of funds in April of 2024. The White House has requested $6B in supplemental funds to support the program. In October, New Dems sent a letter to Speaker Johnson supporting funding for the ACP program in supplemental appropriations.
A longtime champion for affordable internet, Rep. Sykes proudly helped lead bipartisan legislation creating the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Program to guarantee all Ohioans have access to affordable, high-speed internet during her time in the Ohio House of Representatives.
For more information on the Affordable Connectivity Program, click here.