U.S. Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH) on July 30 signed on as an original cosponsor of bipartisan legislation that would appropriate funds for critical programs overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that support low-income Americans’ access to high-speed internet.
“Internet access opens doors, from helping kids do their homework to learning new skills and applying for jobs. Unfortunately, close to a million Ohioans lack access to high-speed internet,” Rep. Carey said. “This bill will close that gap.”
The congressman is the lead original cosponsor of the Secure and Affordable Broadband Extension Act, H.R. 9193, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL) and 10 other original cosponsors to renew and improve the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), among other provisions.
Established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the ACP ran out of funding in May, ending internet assistance for over 23 million households, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Carey’s staff.
If enacted, H.R. 9193 would restore the ACP and provide eligible households with a monthly discount of up to $30 per month off the cost of their internet service, the summary says.
“Access to high-speed internet isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity,” said Rep. Budzinski. “For nearly three years, the Affordable Connectivity Program’s $30 monthly credit helped connect nearly 23 million low-income households to internet access. But despite its success, Congress failed to keep this transformative program funded.”
Additionally, H.R. 9193 would replace insecure wireless internet equipment from Chinese Communist Party-associated corporations, like Huawei and ZTE, states the summary.
Funds under the bill would come from its renewal of the FCC’s spectrum auction in the AWS-3 band, and by narrowing the ACP eligibility from households with an income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line, to households at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty line.
The measure is supported by AARP, the American Civil Liberties Union, Common Sense Media, the Benton Institute, Accolade, Public Knowledge, INCOMPAS, the R Street Institute, the Affordable Broadband Campaign, New America, Emerios, the Competitive Carriers Association, and CTIA.
H.R. 9193 is the companion bill to the same-named S. 4317, introduced on May 9 by U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).