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Speaker Johnson Hastens End of Critical Program that Bridges Digital Divide, Threatening Connectivity for Millions

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Low-income households will lose the discount the program offers, but officials and people in the industry say many will lose access to the internet because they can’t pay higher bills. Ninety-five percent of said it would be hard to handle the extra costs.
The post Speaker Johnson Hastens End of Critical Program that Bridges Digital Divide, Threatening Connectivity for Millions first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 years ago

February 28, 2024

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

As the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) faces an imminent funding shortfall, the lifeline that connected more than 23 million disadvantaged and low-income American families to broadband hangs in the balance. Despite its critical role in bridging the digital divide, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has yet to bring a bill for ACP extension to the floor, putting millions at risk of losing affordable internet access.

President Biden’s ambitious goal of connecting every American to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet by 2030 is now in jeopardy, as Johnson holds the key to the ACP’s future. Despite bipartisan support, Johnson inexplicably hasn’t brought a bill funding the ACP to the floor for a formal vote. The White House and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have urged the Speaker to act.

Just last month, Biden urged more people to sign up for the ACP, noting that only 43% of eligible households had enrolled in the program and highlighting the urgent need for its continuation.

The ACP, offering internet for $30 per month for qualifying families in most areas and $75 on tribal lands, has been a game-changer, enabling participants to overcome financial barriers and access essential services like telehealth, remote schooling, and work.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has proposed a bill to sustain the ACP through 2024 with an additional $7 billion in funding, surpassing the president’s initial request. However, without a floor vote, the Federal Communications Commission has initiated steps to wind down the program, instructing internet providers to notify users about its projected end.

The FCC halted new enrollments after February 7, with the program expected to end in April. The digital divide persists due to broadband infrastructure limitations, particularly in urban areas with limited coverage in low-income neighborhoods. Tribal lands also face challenges, with broadband access lagging behind the rest of the country.

“If Congress does not provide additional funding for the ACP in the near future, millions of households will lose the ACP benefit that they use to afford internet service,” FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said. “This also means that roughly 1,700 internet service providers will be affected by the termination of the ACP and may cut off service to households no longer supported by the program.”

Blair Levin, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute and a former FCC chief of staff, lamented that “there are 15 Republican co-sponsors today of the ACP extension bill—meaning the only reason it’s not going to pass the House is because the Speaker will not let it on the floor. A minority of the House has decided we should not have it; it’s not a majority, and there’s a lot of political support for the extension.”

Even in Johnson’s Louisiana district, connectivity remains a pressing issue, with 29% of his constituents set to lose coverage because he fails to act. Johnson’s office didn’t return several telephone calls and emails seeking comment.

The program is also good for business. In February, researchers at George Mason University in Virginia wrote that the ACP added $3.89 to the U.S. GDP for every dollar spent.

Also, affordable broadband access led to more people working, increasing job rates and individual earnings. A recent poll of ACP members found that 78% said their internet connection helped them find better-paying work.

Low-income households will lose the discount the program offers, but officials and people in the industry say many will lose access to the internet because they can’t pay higher bills. Ninety-five percent of said it would be hard to handle the extra costs.

Civil rights activists have sent a letter urging Congress to act promptly, emphasizing the ACP’s role in closing the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to broadband services for low-income families and historically underserved communities.

National Urban League President Marc Morial, NAACP President Derrick Johnson, and other activists stressed in a letter to lawmakers the program’s significance in connecting Americans to the digital economy, expanding telehealth services, and supporting students in remote learning opportunities.

“Without the additional $6 billion, millions of Americans reliant on ACP will lose access to high-speed internet, a fundamental civil right in the 21st century,” the group wrote, urging Congress to secure ACP funding for 2024 and devise long-term solutions for equitable broadband access.

The post Speaker Johnson Hastens End of Critical Program that Bridges Digital Divide, Threatening Connectivity for Millions first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Stacy M. Brown

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Smooth Ride! Car Suspension & Comfort Tested #shorts

Smooth suspension meets surprisingly spacious legroom. Experience true comfort on any road!

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Car suspension test demonstrating a smooth ride, comfort features, and handling on various terrains.

Experience the difference smooth suspension makes on rough streets. Check out the surprisingly good second-row legroom – test it yourself for true comfort.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/l9Z571za5Gc

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61 years since Selma, Houston leaders say the bridge remains to be crossed

61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Houston leaders discuss the ongoing struggle for civil rights 61 years after Selma, emphasizing the need for continued action.

It has been 61 years since the Selma marches. But political leaders in Houston say that the issues protesters were marching for still plague the lives of Black Americans.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

1 month ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.