Rep. Scholten Calls on Speaker Johnson to Prevent Nearly 52,000 West Michiganders from Losing Access to Affordable Internet

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, as the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) expires, Rep. Hillary Scholten (MI-03) is once more calling on Speaker Mike Johnson to renew the program to make sure West Michiganders can access affordable internet.

Enacted as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Affordable Connectivity Program currently empowers 23 million households across the country to access affordable broadband, including over 941,000 Michiganders and nearly 52,000 West Michiganders. Eligible households can receive a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service.

Due to high demand and limited funding, the ACP will cease entirely today, April 30th, and millions of households will lose crucial internet access unless Congress acts to extend the program.

“It’s 2024. Access to high-speed internet isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. I’ve consistently called on Speaker Johnson to fund this essential program to keep millions of Americans connected, and now, we’re out of time. Speaker Johnson must immediately bring forth bipartisan legislation to keep this program up and running. The American people can’t wait,” said Rep. Scholten.

Rep. Scholten has repeatedly called on Speaker Mike Johnson to fully fund this critical program. She joined her colleagues in the New Democrat Coalition and the Future Forum in penning letters to the Speaker expressing their concerns if the program were to cease operations.