NaLA Statement on Cantwell’s Spectrum Bill Markup Cancellation
The Senate Commerce Committee late Monday scrapped plans for a markup Tuesday morning of Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell’s Spectrum and National Security Act of 2024, which would have included provisions to allocate spectrum auction proceeds to the Affordable Connectivity Program and rip and replace program. This marks the fourth time the markup has been rescheduled….
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ACP: The Fight Isn’t Over
This month, 23 million households in the U.S. will have to make a difficult decision: pay more for their monthly internet bill or cut their budget somewhere else to pay for it or go without internet access. This is because the federal subsidy that one in six households has relied on to connect to the…
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NaLA’s Statement on the last day of ACP Funding
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) officially ended on June 1, 2024, with funding exhausted. Starting this month, more than 23 million enrollees will no longer have access to a reliably consistent monthly federal subsidy. The following can be attributed to David B. Dorwart, Chair, National Lifeline Association (NaLA): “June 1 represents another unfortunate milestone for…
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NaLA Comments on Canceled Senate Committee Vote
Today, the Senate Commerce Committee postponed its markup, where it was expected to consider Senator Cantwell’s Spectrum Bill, which included $7 billion to fund the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) through the remainder of the year. The following quote can be attributed to David B. Dorwart, Chairman of the National Lifeline Association (NaLA): “With just two…
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NaLA’s Statement on ACP Amendment in FAA Authorization Bill
This afternoon, Senator Luján (D-NM) introduced an amendment to the FAA bill with Senators Welch (D-VT), Vance (R-OH), Wicker (R-MS), Rosen (D-NV), and Daines (R-MT) that would provide $6 billion to ACP and $3.08 billion to the “Rip and Replace” program. The amendment also includes several reforms to the ACP program and a “pay for”…
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NaLA’s Statement on the Last Day of ACP
April marks the last fully funded month of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP.) Come May, more than 23 million American households will begin paying more for their monthly internet service costs, or risk losing it altogether. In order to keep these individuals connected, Congress must appropriate additional funding for the ACP. The following response can…
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NaLA Statement on Appropriations Package Passed to Avoid A Government Shutdown
Over the weekend, President Biden signed a $1.2 trillion spending package approved by the Senate and House allocating federal government funding until the fiscal year’s end. The funding package was passed after months of negotiations between members of Congress and invests in various sectors and services of the government. However, despite the immense bipartisan support…
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National Lifeline Association Funding Equipment Suppliers Committee Welcomes New Chair Shawn Khoja of ViaOne Services
Kennett Square, Pa., February 21, 2024 – The NaLA Funding Equipment Suppliers (FES) Committee is pleased to announce a significant transition in its leadership. Effective today, Shawn Khoja from ViaOne Services will take on the role of Committee Chair, succeeding Nathan Stierwalt of PWG Network Solutions, who graciously steps down after a foundational and impactful tenure. Nathan…
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NaLA Statement on FCC Guidance Regarding ACP Wind-Down
Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released guidelines to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) on how to inform their subscribers about the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Currently, the federal subsidy benefit is expected to run out of funding by May 2024, with new enrollments ceasing on February 8, 2024. The following response can…
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NaLA Applauds Introduction of the Bipartisan Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024
Today, the bicameral, bipartisan Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act was introduced, aiming to allocate $7 billion to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Led by U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), JD Vance (R-Ohio), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and U.S. Representatives Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), this legislation seeks to expand affordable…
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