Bipartisan Support Grows for Pappas Push to Extend Affordable Connectivity Program

A bipartisan group of members of Congress has endorsed legislation championed by Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). This week, the Problem Solvers Caucus - a group evenly split between Republicans and Democrats - endorsed H.R. 6929, the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024, which would provide funding to extend the ACP in New Hampshire and across the country. Pappas is a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus and has been rated among the most independent, bipartisan members of Congress.

“Access to high-speed broadband is essential to compete and thrive in the 21st century, and the Affordable Connectivity Program has been a game-changer in closing the digital divide for tens of thousands of Granite Staters who have struggled to afford high-speed internet,” said Congressman Pappas. “The program is currently only funded through April, and applications are no longer being accepted. This means that many families may see a drastic increase in internet costs or may lose access to connections when funding runs out. I’m glad that this effort is continuing to gain bipartisan support, and I urge Congress to renew this program to protect New Hampshire families’ access to high-speed internet and ensure broadband is available to all.”

As of January 2024, the ACP provided benefits to 17,000 First District households, reducing broadband costs in the district by roughly $8,290,000 annually. An additional estimated 43,000 households are eligible through the ACP but have not yet enrolled. Statewide, more than 37,811 households across New Hampshire have benefitted from the Affordable Connectivity Program, which is about 1 in 14 households in the state.

Congressman Pappas has repeatedly called for the extension of this program and last month held a roundtable conversation with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Anna M. Gomez and Southern New Hampshire Services CEO Donnalee Lozeau to discuss the importance of the ACP to Granite Staters.