Millions of households across the country, including in the Mountain West region, could soon lose internet access. That鈥檚 if Congress does not extend funding for a subsidy program.
The provides a $30 subsidy for eligible broadband users and up to $75 for households on Tribal lands. But the funding runs out at the end of April.
Jon Donenberg with the National Economic Council said the program has a direct effect on disenfranchised households.
鈥淭wenty-three million households are enrolled, that鈥檚 1 in every 6 households," he said. "Nearly half of those are military families, about a quarter are seniors. It鈥檚 the largest internet affordability program in our nation鈥檚 history and it really matters.鈥�
The Biden administration has proposed allocating $6 billion to fund the program through the end of the year. GOP lawmakers who oppose more funding say the subsidies are an unnecessary expense for taxpayers and it will be difficult to enforce eligibility.
The program subsidizes more than 275,000 households in Nevada, more than 250,000 in Colorado, more than 75,000 in Utah, more than 185,000 in New Mexico, more than 50,000 in Idaho, and more than 20,000 in Wyoming.
This story was produced by the Mountain West News Bureau, a collaboration between Wyoming Public Media, Nevada Public Radio (KNPR) in Las Vegas, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUNR in Nevada, 萝莉少女 in Colorado and KANW in New Mexico, with support from affiliate stations across the region. Funding for the Mountain West News Bureau is provided in part by the .