House Panel Rejects Amendment to Revive the ACP

The House Commerce Committee rejected an amendment to revive the Affordable Connectivity Program, with funds coming from proceeds from future Federal Communications Commission spectrum auctions. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), sponsor of the amendment, was not specific about the amount of money she wanted in describing her amendment, which was defeated (24 yeas, 29 nays) in a party line vote. “Funding to make broadband affordable is needed now, perhaps more than ever,” Rep. Clarke said. “[Auction] proceeds should be reinvested for the public good and not used exclusively to pay for tax cuts for [Republicans’] billionaire friends.”