White House

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Makes “Back to School” Drive to Help Students and Families Get Free High-Speed Internet

As America’s kids get back to school and continue to recover from the challenges of the pandemic, ensuring that all families have access to affordable high-speed internet is more important than ever. That’s why President Biden and Vice President Harris worked with Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to create the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Biden-Harris Administration’s “Back to School” enrollment drive includes:

Principles for Enhancing Competition and Tech Platform Accountability

The White House convened a listening session with experts and practitioners on the harms that tech platforms cause and the need for greater accountability. The Biden-Harris Administration announced the following core principles for reform:

President Biden Announces Appointments to the President’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council

President Joe Biden announced his intent to appoint highly qualified and diverse industry and government leaders as members of the President’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC), which advises the White House on how to reduce physical and cyber risks and improve the security and resilience of the nation’s critical infrastructure sectors. Appointees include:

White House Releases Fact Sheets Highlighting the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's Progress Nationwide

The White House released updated fact sheets highlighting how President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is delivering results for all 50 states, territories, the District of Columbia, and Tribal communities. Eight months following the passage of the IIJA, the Biden-Harris Administration has made unprecedented investments in all 50 states and territories to build a better America that delivers for all communities. Since signing the law, the Biden-Harris Administration has hit the ground running to make major progress.

Remarks By Vice President Harris On The Affordable Connectivity Program

On July 21, Vice President Kamala Harris went to North Carolina to discuss the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to achieve universal broadband in the US. "Every person in our nation, no matter how much they earn, should be able to afford a high-speed Internet plan," said Harris. The vice president highlighted the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides working families with up to $30 a month off of their Internet bill or $75 a month for those living on Tribal lands. It also gives families a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, a desktop computer, or a tablet.

Vice President Harris Marks Important New Milestone in Administration’s Efforts to Cut Costs for American Families

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), administered by the Federal Communications Commission, provides eligible households up to $30/month (or $75/month on Tribal lands) off internet bills, as well as a one-time $100 discount off a connected device. In May 2022, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris announced commitments from internet service providers across the country to offer high-speed plans that are fully covered by the ACP—meaning millions of working families can now get high-speed internet without paying a dime.

US and Spain Committed to Reducing the Digital Divide

Pedro Sánchez Pérez Castejón, the President of the Government of Spain, and President Joseph Biden, on the occasion of President Biden’s visit to Spain on June 28-30, 2022, reached a number of understandings including boosting digital, scientific, and technological cooperation. The United States and Spain defend a digital transformation based on a shared respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and democratic values, on reducing the digital divide, on preventing and addressing the disproportionate effects of online forms of violence and abuse on women, children, and other marginali

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Launches Talent Pipeline Challenge: to Support Infrastructure Workforce Development

The Biden-Harris Administration kicked off a summer-long Talent Pipeline Challenge to fill high-quality jobs to help rebuild our infrastructure and supply chains in the US. This is a nationwide call to action for employers, education and training providers, states, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, and philanthropic organizations to make tangible commitments that support equitable workforce development in three critical infrastructure sectors: Broadband, Construction, and “Electrification” (EV Charging Infrastructure and Battery Manufacturing).