Hill Republicans Need to Understand 'Consequences' of No Further ACP Funding: Hoyer

Backers of allocating additional money for the FCC's affordable connectivity program and other broadband initiatives the federal government created during the COVID-19 pandemic need to make Republicans "understand the consequences ... of not funding access," said House Appropriations Financial Services Subcommittee ranking member Steny Hoyer, D-Md., during a Tuesday Punchbowl News event. GOP leaders on the House and Senate Commerce committees called ACP's future into question in May when they asked the FCC's Office of Inspector General to probe the commission's management of the program money it received via the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (see 2305080067).

Lawmakers and "their constituents" need to know how letting ACP, NTIA's broadband equity, access and deployment (BEAD) program and other initiatives expire will affect their daily lives, Hoyer said. "Healthcare, education" and other matters are now intertwined with internet access, he said. "I have constituents who care deeply about that" because they see its "impact on their own lives." House Republican leaders need to "act rationally" when it comes to pressure within their caucus to reduce spending, he said.

"If you shut people out ... they're not able to be constructive, positive citizens in our society," Hoyer said. It's "not just access. You need to be able to afford" broadband service," too. "Everybody" needs to work together to make sure everyone eligible for ACP and other programs is aware of such initiatives to improve connectivity, he said: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) "is very concerned about making sure every" resident "is connected ... and can afford" broadband. County and local governments in the state are also active, Hoyer said.

Comcast Executive Vice President-Public Policy Broderick Johnson echoed Hoyer's ACP comments later in the event. "In a number of the reddest states in this country, you're seeing ACP sign-up numbers above the national average," Johnson said. "It's important, therefore, that Republican lawmakers be aware of that" since ACP "could run out of money early next year." That "cannot happen for people" in either urban or rural areas of the U.S., he said: Lawmakers need to "understand what's at stake for their constituents" and "understand the benefits that the ACP is bringing to their" districts.

"I believe the White House is being made very aware" of the importance of extending ACP's life, Johnson said. "Many things" happened during the first two years of the Biden administration "that should be talked about and heralded for the difference it's making in people's lives. ACP is among those" things. "Imagine telling a family that for the first time has been connected to the internet through" ACP that "the money has run out," he said: "I don't think that's where we will end up," but it's important to educate lawmakers about the implications of allowing the program's expiration.