Ranking Member Hoyer Statement at the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request Hearing for the Federal Communications Commission

Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD-5), Ranking Member of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the Subcommittee's hearing on President Biden's fiscal year 2025 budget request for the Federal Communications Commission:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

When the Communications Act of 1934 established the Federal Communications Commission, it defined the agency's mission "to ensure that the American people have available – at reasonable costs and without discrimination – rapid, efficient, nation- and world-wide communication services."

Communications technology has changed dramatically in the last ninety years.

The FCC's work is even more important today than it was nine decades ago.

In the twenty-first century, access to economic opportunity depends on access to high-speed internet.

Whether it's for education, work, or health care, the internet is no longer a luxury; it's a necessity.

Nevertheless, an FCC report released in March found that as many as 24 million Americans still lack access to high-speed broadband.

The FCC has done an excellent job tracking these gaps in internet coverage with its new national broadband map.

America's digital divide is still too big, but it would be much bigger were it not for the FCC.

The FCC has done terrific work to expand affordable high-speed broadband access throughout the country – especially in rural areas.

The FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program has been central to that effort.

As of last month, 23 million ­– or one in every six – households in America were enrolled in the program, saving $30 to $75 a month on their internet costs.

That includes 21,036 households in Maryland's fifth district, which I'm proud to represent.

I've heard directly from my constituents about the ACP's tremendous positive impact on their lives.

Just a few weeks ago, one family down in St. Mary's County explained to me how they had struggled during the pandemic because they couldn't afford high-speed internet.

Their high-school student had to go to a friend's house just to attend class and keep up with her studies.

Her parent had to drive to the local church parking lot just to get an internet connection to telework.

That all changed last year when they were able to get their home connected thanks to the ACP.

The family told me: "we don't know what we would have done without the efforts of our government."

As house majority leader last congress, I was proud to help secure funding for the ACP in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

That funding, however, has run out.

It is crucial that my colleagues across the aisle work with Democrats to take immediate action to extend this program.

If they fail to do so, 23 million Americans will either see their internet costs go up or lose their connection all together.

Additionally, my Republican colleagues ought to work with us to fulfill the FCC's fiscal year 2025 request of $448 million, which is fully offset by fees.

The FCC needs these resources to help close the digital divide and carry out other key duties – from protecting consumers to promoting fair competition in the telecom industry.

I thank Chair Rosenworcel and Commissioner Carr for testifying today.

I look forward to hearing more about what the FCC has accomplished in the past year and about how it plans to use these federal resources to benefit the American people.

Thank you.