The White House on Monday distributed $42 billion to the nation’s 50 states and U.S. territories to make high-speed broadband access universal by 2030, as it launched a new campaign to promote President Joe Biden’s economic policies. What did
Funding under the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program was authorized by the $1 trillion 2021 infrastructure law championed by Biden. These costs will be based on the Federal Communications Commission’s newly released coverage map detailing access gaps.
Texas and California – the two most populous US states – topped the funding list with $3.1 billion and $1.9 billion, respectively. But other, less populated states like Virginia, Alabama and Louisiana made the top 10 list for funding due to lack of broadband access. These states have large rural areas that have less internet connectivity than their larger cities.
“This is the largest investment ever in high-speed Internet. Because for today’s economy to work for everyone, access to the Internet is as important as electricity, water, or other basic services,” Biden said Monday. said in a White House address.
Awards range from $27 million for U.S. territories like the U.S. Virgin Islands to more than $3.3 billion for Texas, with each state receiving at least $107 million.
The announcement kicked off the second leg of Biden’s tour, which highlighted how his Democratic-controlled Congress will affect average Americans as legislation prepares for his 2024 re-election bid. how did it happen
As part of the sales pitch, Biden is also set to give what White House officials describe as a major economic speech in Chicago on Wednesday, with senior advisers Anita Dunn and Mike Pompeo on Monday. According to the memo, so-called “Bidenomics” was introduced. Donelon to congressional Democrats and other allies.
The 2024 election will be seen in part as a referendum on Biden’s economy. Job creation and low unemployment are positive, while the knock-on effect of high inflation and high interest rates has raised fears of a recession.
According to JEE News poll conducted earlier this month, more than half of Americans — 54% — disapprove of how Biden is handling his job, while just 35% of respondents approve of his oversight of the economy. Approved.
Democrats lost control of the House of Representatives in the 2022 midterm elections.
The administration estimates there are about 8.5 million places in the U.S. without access to a broadband connection.
Broadband companies such as Verizon ( VZ.N ), Comcast ( CMCSA.O ), Charter Communications ( CHTR.O ) and AT&T ( T.N ) have been reluctant to provide access to sparsely populated, rural communities because the investment is expensive and the areas too remote. Do not offer more users.
A lack of broadband access during the COVID-19 shutdown drew attention, forcing students to school online.
States are expected to submit initial plans later this year that will unlock 20% of the funding. After finalizing the projects, which may take up to 2025, the government will release the remaining amount.
