Millions could lose internet connectivity as funding for pandemic program ends [Video]

IRVING, Texas – When the pandemic hit in 2020, virtual learning became the new normal for millions of students nationwide.

Congress passed the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which turned into the Affordable Connectivity Program. It’s supposed to be a permanent solution, but funding has run out.

With funding from the program, around 23,000,000 households nationwide were able to stay connected.

The goal was to close the so-called digital divide.

In Texas, approximately 1.7 million Texans benefited.

Congressman Marc Veasey, who championed the bipartisan legislation, toured Lady Bird Johnson Middle School with FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Stacks where every single student has a Chromebook provided by the district.

For many low-income students, their connectivity ends when they leave the school.

“Our issue is once they do get home, whether they have that connectivity or not, and so what we know is the ACP program has really assisted our students, our families, to stay connected and be able to do their homework,” said Lisa Castillo, …