WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a pointed critique on Tuesday, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) took House Republicans to task over their failure to renew the Affordable Connectivity Program, a lifeline for 23 million American households that expired on April 30. This program, part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law by President Joe Biden, offered crucial broadband access at affordable rates, including nearly 30,000 households in Pennsylvania’s Sixth Congressional District alone.
Despite enjoying widespread support for its role in bridging the digital divide, the program has come to a halt due to congressional inaction. Houlahan’s condemnation underscores the growing chasm in American politics over issues of connectivity and basic services, positioning broadband access as a battlefield in the larger war over public utilities and societal equity.
“The way Americans connect with one another has changed rapidly in just the past few years, and it’s increasingly clear that reliable broadband is a common thread that ties us together,” Houlahan stated, emphasizing the critical nature of the service for diverse communities including rural farmers, seniors, and low-income students. She warned of the detrimental impact the program’s lapse will have on thousands of businesses and households in her state.
Houlahan’s call to action urges Speaker Mike Johnson to bypass partisan divides and restore funding to the program, highlighting the urgency of maintaining internet access for America’s most vulnerable populations. This appeal for a bipartisan solution reflects a broader concern over the ability of Congress to address fundamental needs amidst rising living costs.
Whitney Hoffman, a member of the Chester County Digital Alliance, echoed Houlahan’s sentiments, stressing the dual necessities of reliable service and affordability. Without the Affordable Connectivity Program, countless residents may face insurmountable barriers to essential services such as government access, telemedicine, and educational opportunities.
Earlier this month, Houlahan and 96 colleagues from the New Democrat Coalition called on Speaker Johnson to act swiftly to prevent the program’s demise. Their collective disappointment highlights the severe consequences of political deadlock, with more than three-quarters of enrolled households facing potential disruptions or total loss of internet access.
The stakes are particularly high in Pennsylvania, where approximately one in seven households benefited from the program. To date, the state has received over $431 million in funding, translating to significant monthly savings for families on internet bills. The expiration of the Affordable Connectivity Program not only represents a significant step back in efforts to ensure universal broadband access but also signals a worrying trend of politicizing essential services.
This unfolding drama in Congress places millions of Americans at risk of losing vital internet access, a modern necessity that has become even more indispensable in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Houlahan’s stand against the expiration of the Affordable Connectivity Program serves as a stark reminder of the real-world implications of legislative inaction, urging lawmakers to prioritize the public good over partisan interests.
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