Bipartisan $7 billion extension of FCC broadband subsidy program introduced as it faces expiration

A bipartisan group of senators and representatives introduced legislation that would provide an extension of funding for a program meant to ensure that low-income households have access to broadband internet but that has been criticized by conservatives as wasteful.

The bill introduced Wednesday, the Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act, would provide an additional $7 billion in funding to the Affordable Connectivity Program, which offers more than 22 million households in the United States a $30 per month subsidy that can be put toward fixed or mobile broadband providers.