BUFFALO, N.Y. — At the end of May, 236,017 households in Western New York will lose internet access or see their internet bill increase by $30.
Those households were enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The program a $30 a month benefit that was lumped into the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which was passed in 2021.
Funding the program has run its course, and now households across the country will see their internet bill increase, or lease service all together.
Some 23 million households utilize the program across the country. The benefit was focused on providing access to low-income households. Households on tribal territory also benefitted from the program to the tune of $75 a month.
During his visit to Buffalo on Tuesday, Senior Advisor to President Biden Tom Perez was critical of Republicans who stalled a funding bill for the program in the House of Representatives.
"Every single member of Congress has a critical mass of people who participate in the affordable connectivity program," Perez said. "Speaker Johnson has over 90,000 households in his district, who are benefiting from the affordable connectivity program, they need to step up period."
Democrats and Republicans in the House of Representatives can't seem to agree on a new funding plan for the program, even though broadband initiatives have been one of the few bipartisan issues that both sides agreed on in recent years.
U.S. Rep. Tim Kennedy's district has 100,028 households enrolled in the program.
U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy's district has 64,571 households enrolled.
U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney has 71,418 households in her district enrolled.
None of the Congressional delegation from WNY was available for an interview to answer questions about extending the program.
In March, Congressman Langworthy told 2 On Your Side that "we basically just have to fight to get more money."
There is one Senate bill on the table right now that would fund the ACP through the FAA Reauthorization Bill, but the House would need to still approve it.
In total, $6 billion has been allocated for the ACP in that Senate FAA bill.
If a funding bill isn't passed and signed by President Biden by the end of May, the program will end.