Congresswoman Brown Calls for Extension of Affordable Connectivity Program

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) co-lead a press conference in Washington with colleagues from the New Democrat Coalition calling on House Republican Leadership to take immediate action to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and preserve affordable internet access for 23 million American households.

According to the White House, over 1.1 million Ohio households are enrolled in the program, including 135,883 households in OH-11, an estimated 46% of all households in Congresswoman Brown’s district, the highest percentage in the state and one of the highest nationwide.

“Republican leadership in the House is content to watch the ACP die – this is unacceptable to me and should be unacceptable to the country. Willfully deepening the digital divide is illogical, irresponsible, and inequitable. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in support of this vital program and will continue to fight for my constituents. We cannot cut the cord on connectivity,” said Congresswoman Brown.

Absent Congressional action, April will be the last month that participants receive their full ACP benefits, and the program will end entirely after May. The ACP was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Congresswoman Brown proudly voted for.

Congresswoman Brown is a cosponsor of Congresswoman Yvette Clarke’s Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act would provide $7 billion in funding for the ACP. The press conference also included New Dem Chair Annie Kuster (NH-02), Congresswomen Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Angie Craig (MN-02), and Emilia Sykes (OH-13), and Congressman Gabe Vasquez (NM-02).

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