ST. PETERSBURG, FL — U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) was joined by Pinellas School Board Chair Laura Hine and CEO of the St. Pete Free Clinic Jennifer Yeagley to call on House Republicans to pass critical funding to renew the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) which has extended access to low-cost internet services for more than 102,000 households across Florida’s 14^th Congressional District.

The ACP, championed by President Biden and Congressional Democrats in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, has helped millions of American families lower their internet bills by $30 to $75 per month. However, due to House Republicans’ inaction, funding for this important initiative will expire at the end of May, raising household costs for seniors, students and small businesses across the country.

“Access to the internet is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for families and businesses across the country to work, do their schoolwork, receive health care services, manage their finances and so much more,” said Rep. Castor. “When President Biden and Congressional Democrats passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is rebuilding our roads and bridges, we also included investments in the infrastructure that helps power our lives – and that’s access to affordable internet services. Unfortunately, after working with Democrats to create this important initiative, House Republicans have refused to renew and extend the ACP that millions of families across the country have benefitted from. I urge my GOP colleagues to put aside partisanship and join Congressional Democrats in passing the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act to help ease the burden on Americans’ pocketbooks and remove barriers to keeping people connected.”

The Affordable Connectivity Extension Act would provide $7 billion to extend the highly successful ACP and ensure eligible households, including the 23 million families enrolled in the initiative, can access low-cost internet services.

Watch Rep. Castor, Chair Hine, and Jennifer Yeagley’s remarks.

The full live stream of the event can be viewed here.