Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA) released the following joint statement today after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4275, the “Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022:”
“Internet access is a necessity for participating in our modern economy and society, and both Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program play a critical role in helping millions of American families afford it. Today, the House passed a bill to help maximize enrollment in these crucial programs by improving transparency around the number of low-income households enrolled in these affordability programs. We’re proud of the bipartisan work that went into this bill as we continue our efforts to close the digital divide and look forward to it being signed into law.”
H.R. 4275, the “Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022,” was introduced by Reps. Elaine Luria (D-VA) and John Katko (R-NY). The legislation requires the Federal Communications Commission to annually submit a report to Congress regarding the number of households that qualify for Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program through automatic qualifying programs set forth in statute and regulations. The legislation also requires the Government Accountability Office to study and report on outreach and publicity efforts to promote enrollment in Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program. The bill passed en bloc by a vote of 381-39.
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