U.S. Senator Shaheen Joins U.S. Senate Colleagues in Push to Secure Funding for Affordable Connectivity Program in Forthcoming Appropriations Package

**Shaheen was the Democratic negotiator on broadband provisions in the historic bipartisan infrastructure law**

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the lead negotiator of broadband provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobst Act (IIJA), recently joined a group of 33 U.S. Senators, led by U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), in a letter urging Senate leadership to include funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) as part of future must-pass legislation, including the next government funding package. Earlier this month, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Jessica Rosenworcel notified Congress that funding for the program will run out at the end of April, causing families to see higher internet costs.

“We write to urge you to take immediate action to fund the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program,” wrote the senators. “Both of these programs are vital for closing the digital divide, by making connectivity affordable to millions of working families and ensuring providers are able to continue serving rural communities.”

“A lapse in ACP funding will therefore limit the positive impact of Congress’ historic $42 billion investment in connecting every unserved American under the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program,” they continued. “Taking immediate action to continue funding ACP today is essential to keep Americans connected while this important work is done to enact meaningful improvements, limit waste, fraud, and abuse, and identify a long-term funding mechanism for the program.”

The full text of the letter can be found HERE.

As a lead negotiator of the historic bipartisan infrastructure deal, Shaheen led bipartisan broadband negotiations with U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and successfully secured $65 billion to support broadband affordability and deployment across the nation. The package also builds on the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program by investing $14.2 billion to help working and low-income families access affordable high-speed internet.

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