1. Millions of Americans may lose their internet access TOMORROW
Among those impacted will be 90,447 people in @SpeakerJohnson's district alone
It doesn't need to happen. But Johnson is making sure it does
Follow along for details
🧵
Among those impacted will be 90,447 people in @SpeakerJohnson's district alone
It doesn't need to happen. But Johnson is making sure it does
Follow along for details
🧵
2. The last budget signed by Trump included $3.2 billion to help families afford internet access
The program was formalized and expanded by Biden's bipartisan infrastructure law, which was signed into law in November 2021
It's been a smashing success
popular.info/p/why-millions…
The program was formalized and expanded by Biden's bipartisan infrastructure law, which was signed into law in November 2021
It's been a smashing success
popular.info/p/why-millions…
3. The Affordable Connectivity Program provides $30/month to help low-income families (earning up to 200% of the poverty line) afford internet
Today, the ACP is "helping 23 million households – 1 in 6 households across America."
The program has particularly benefited "rural communities, veterans, and older Americans"
Today, the ACP is "helping 23 million households – 1 in 6 households across America."
The program has particularly benefited "rural communities, veterans, and older Americans"
4. In 2024, reliable access to high-speed internet is no longer a luxury; it is a basic necessity. From job applications to managing personal finances and completing school work, internet access is an essential part of daily life. Without an internet connection, individuals are effectively cut off from basic societal activities.
5. The ACP program expires TOMORROW. There is a bipartisan bill to extend through the end of the year. It has enough co-sponsors to pass the House.
But @SpeakerJohnson refuses to allow a vote.
Even though HIS OWN CONSTITUENTS are among those that benefit most.
1 out of 3 households Johnson represents benefit from the program.
But @SpeakerJohnson refuses to allow a vote.
Even though HIS OWN CONSTITUENTS are among those that benefit most.
1 out of 3 households Johnson represents benefit from the program.
6. Johnson is not explaining WHY he won't allow a vote on the program. But there are hints in the Republican Study Committee budget, the House GOP's conservative caucus which Johnson once chaired.
The RSC says it "stands against" the ACP and labels it a "government handout[] that disincentivize[s] prosperity."
The RSC says it "stands against" the ACP and labels it a "government handout[] that disincentivize[s] prosperity."
7. The RSC claims the program is unnecessary because "80 percent" of beneficiaries had internet access before the program went into effect.
This is a misrepresentation of a study that found 68% of beneficiaries "reported they had inconsistent internet service or no internet service at all prior to ACP."
This is a misrepresentation of a study that found 68% of beneficiaries "reported they had inconsistent internet service or no internet service at all prior to ACP."
@SpeakerJohnson 8. The RSC also falsely claims that funding for the precursor to the ACP "was signed into law at the end of President Biden’s first year in office." This is false. Former President Trump signed the funding into law in December 2020.
popular.info/p/why-millions…
popular.info/p/why-millions…
@SpeakerJohnson 9. Remarkably, numerous RSC members are also sponsoring the bill to expand the ACP. Hundreds of thousands of their constituents benefit from the program.
We contacted all of them and most didn't respond. None addressed the contradiction.
We contacted all of them and most didn't respond. None addressed the contradiction.
@SpeakerJohnson 10. If you value this kind of in-depth accountability reporting, subscribe to my newsletter, Popular Information.
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