Transcript - Remarks: Joe Biden Announces Plans to Address Lowering High Speed Internet Costs - May 9, 2022 | Factba.se

Kamala Harris

00:00:00 - 00:00:03 ()

Good afternoon, everyone. Please have a seat. Good afternoon.

Kamala Harris

00:00:03 - 00:00:23 ()

President Joe Biden, members of the Cabinet, members of Congress, Internet service providers, and all of the advocates and organizers who are working every day to connect our communities: Thank you all for your leadership.

Kamala Harris

00:00:23 - 00:01:10 ()

I will begin today with a quick story. Earlier this year, I met a young woman named Llulisa. Llulisa is a high school senior from Pennsylvania. For years, she did not have high-speed Internet at home. Her family, however, found ways to make do without. Then the pandemic hit, and Llulisa began attending school virtually. She told me she did the best she could. She completed homework assignments on her phone, and relied on a spotty mobile hotspot to virtually attend class. But without reliable access to high-speed Internet, Llulisa began to fall behind.

Kamala Harris

00:01:10 - 00:01:34 ()

Her story is the story of so many people. Today, more than 30 million people in our country do not have access to high-speed Internet, either because they live in communities where high-speed Internet is not easily available or, more often, because they cannot afford the cost of a plan.

Kamala Harris

00:01:34 - 00:01:46 ()

These folks are -- they're our seniors who have to take their telemedicine visits in the local library without the privacy that they want and are due.

Kamala Harris

00:01:46 - 00:01:55 ()

These are parents who cannot afford to work remotely and small-business owners who cannot sell their products online.

Kamala Harris

00:01:55 - 00:02:04 ()

These are students like Llulisa who are being held back from achieving their incredible and God-given potential.

Kamala Harris

00:02:04 - 00:02:32 ()

In the 21st century, access to the Internet is essential for success. Every person in our nation, no matter how much they earn, should be able to afford high-speed Internet and a high-speed Internet plan. [Applause] So that is why we are all here together today.

Kamala Harris

00:02:32 - 00:02:57 ()

Last year, knowing this was an issue, our administration invested $65 billion to expand access to affordable high-speed Internet through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. As part of this investment, we funded the Affordable Connectivity Program, also known here in D.C. as "ACP." [Laughter]

Kamala Harris

00:02:57 - 00:03:27 ()

Through this program, if a member of your household receives SNAP benefits, Medicaid, free or reduced-price school lunch, or a number of other programs, or if your household makes below a certain income, then you are eligible to receive a discount on your monthly Internet bill of $30 a month or $75 a month if you live on Tribal lands.

Kamala Harris

00:03:27 - 00:03:48 ()

Altogether, nearly 40 percent of American households are eligible for this important program. And so far, we have helped more than 11.5 million households lower their monthly bills and have access to affordable high-speed Internet -- households like Llu- -- [applause] -- like Llulisa's.

Kamala Harris

00:03:48 - 00:04:08 ()

In May of 2020, her family signed up for high-speed Internet through the ACP. And because of this initiative, Llulisa could attend class and do her homework without worrying about her Internet connection.

Kamala Harris

00:04:08 - 00:04:17 ()

And she told me the ACP singlehandedly saved her junior year. And this fall, she will be the first in her family to attend college at her top choice school. [Applause] Indeed.

Kamala Harris

00:04:17 - 00:04:47 ()

So the point, of course, is that when we connect people with high-speed Internet, we connect them with opportunity: the opportunity to get an education, to train for a new career, to build a business, to keep in touch with loved ones who are far away.

Kamala Harris

00:04:47 - 00:05:08 ()

In short, the opportunity to live healthier, happier, and more prosperous lives. This is what so much of our work as an administration comes down to: fighting to make sure every person, no matter who they are or where they start, has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.

Kamala Harris

00:05:08 - 00:05:31 ()

Today, we take another step forward in that fight. Earlier this year, our administration called on Internet service providers to take action to help folks get Internet and -- and connected, in part by offering more affordable high-speed Internet plans to their customers.

Kamala Harris

00:05:31 - 00:06:02 ()

As the President will speak in a moment, the providers joining us today have answered that call. And so -- [applause] -- before you hear from them, it is my great pleasure to introduce a woman who has felt the impact of this program firsthand, a mother who knows the difference that access to high-speed Internet can make for the young people of our nation. Please welcome Alisha Jones. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:06:02 - 00:06:08 ()

Hello, everyone. Welcome to the sunny Rose Garden. [Applause] Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Joe Biden

00:06:08 - 00:06:15 ()

That old saying, "All that needs to be said has already been said, but I'm going to say it again." [Laughter]

Joe Biden

00:06:15 - 00:06:18 ()

Look, Alisha, thank you very much for your story.

Joe Biden

00:06:18 - 00:06:28 ()

And I wanted to -- I want to thank the Vice President, Vice President Harris, for leading this effort and this administration on this issue.

Joe Biden

00:06:28 - 00:06:41 ()

And I'm proud to announce today that our administration has brought together Democrats, Republicans, the private sector to lower the high-speed Internet costs for tens of millions of Americans.

Joe Biden

00:06:41 - 00:06:50 ()

You know, but before we get into the details, I want to talk about why this matters. You already know that, actually, from hearing my two colleagues speak before me.

Joe Biden

00:06:50 - 00:07:09 ()

But here in the United States of America, how many times have you seen a mom or a dad drive up to a parking lot outside a McDonald's and -- just so they could get connected to the Internet so their kid could do their homework during the pandemic, literally? It's just not right. It's not who we are.

Joe Biden

00:07:09 - 00:07:51 ()

And we saw, during the pandemic, how essential high-speed Internet really is in allowing seniors to connect with their doctors through telemedicine, as the Vice President referenced, when it wasn't safe to go in person; allowing students to keep learning back when schools were closed; allowing millions of -- millions workers to do their job remotely; allowing small businesses to stay afloat on the strength of their online sales; allowing farmers to use precision agriculture technology to improve their yields; and allowing countless families to stay connected to the people they love, even when they weren't able to get together.

Joe Biden

00:07:51 - 00:08:09 ()

You know, the need for high-speed Internet is -- is a little bit like what used to be probably what my grandfather talked about: needing to have a telephone. It's pretty consequential. And it's only going to keep growing, this need. High-speed Internet is not a luxury any longer, it's a necessity.

Joe Biden

00:08:09 - 00:08:31 ()

And that's why the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included $65 billion to make sure we expand access to broadband Internet in every region of the country -- urban, suburban, and rural -- everywhere -- everywhere -- [applause] -- so every household in America can get connected.

Joe Biden

00:08:31 - 00:08:53 ()

By -- by expanding access it's only -- it's only part of the challenge, though, as was referenced by the Vice President. It was about affordability as well. And today, too many families simply can't afford to get connected, even if there's access to get connected. So they go without high-speed Internet or they sacrifice other necessities in order to make it work.

Joe Biden

00:08:53 - 00:09:17 ()

That's why -- that's why, in November, when we passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, we also created something called the Affordable Connectivity Program. I refuse to call it the "ACP." [Laughter] I am so tired of acronyms in Washington. I can't stand it. [Applause] I cannot stand it. But I'm going to have to learn, aren't I? [Laughter]

Joe Biden

00:09:17 - 00:09:41 ()

Here's how it works: If your household income is twice the federal poverty level or less -- that's about $55,000 per year for a family of four or $27,000 for an individual -- or a member of your household is on Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income or a number of other programs, you're eligible to -- for affordably connect -- the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Joe Biden

00:09:41 - 00:09:57 ()

Nearly 40 percent of the households in America qualify. And if you qualify, you're going to get a $30 credit per month toward your Internet bill, which me- -- which most folks -- will mean they get on for nothing. Look -- zero.

Joe Biden

00:09:57 - 00:10:20 ()

Let me explain: In the past, 30 bucks a month meant you had to settle for a slow Internet service, unless you wanted to pay a heck of a lot more out of pocket. But over the last few months, my administration has worked closely with Internet providers -- this is a case where big business stepped up -- urging them to cut their prices and raise their -- their speeds.

Joe Biden

00:10:20 - 00:10:27 ()

I'm trying to get others to do the same thing with inflation but that -- these guys are the best. [Laughter]

Joe Biden

00:10:27 - 00:10:47 ()

Well, look, we secured commitments from 20 providers -- most of whom are here in the garden today. Going to lower prices for high-speed Internet for tens of millions of households. So, now families who are eligible can select a plan from pr- -- a participating provider and receive high-speed Internet at no cost, in most cases.

Joe Biden

00:10:47 - 00:10:53 ()

These include providers like AT&T. Is AT&T here? Thank you, man. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:10:53 - 00:11:09 ()

AT&T, Comcast -- Comcast, where are you? Stand up, man. Let them see you. Frontier, Spectrum, and Verizon. [Applause] Thank you, thank you, thank you. You're really changing people's lives. You really are.

Joe Biden

00:11:09 - 00:11:22 ()

Along with smaller providers serving rural areas, like Jackson Energy Authority in Tennessee and Ideatek in Kansas. [Applause] Are you guys here? Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Joe Biden

00:11:22 - 00:11:43 ()

All told, providers taking part -- you know, everybody -- it's -- you're going to cover about 80 percent of the United States' population, including about half the rural population. Each of the -- each of them has committed to offering families who use this program at least one high-speed plan that is fully covered.

Joe Biden

00:11:43 - 00:12:02 ()

For example, Verizon lowered the price of its high-speed service from $40 a month to $30 a month. Spectrum doubled the speed of its $30-a-month plan for eligible households. And we made sure that there would be no hidden fees, no tricks. This is straight stuff.

Joe Biden

00:12:02 - 00:12:11 ()

This means fast Internet, good download speeds, with no data caps and no extra fees for millions of American families.

Joe Biden

00:12:11 - 00:12:37 ()

And it's going to change people's lives. You know, in -- from rural Appalachia to Brooklyn to the Black Belt. Families who have struggled to get the Internet that they need -- even getting -- finding if they could connect to it, let alone if they could afford it -- for schoolwork, telemedicine, standing a -- starting a business, and so much more -- and will finally get connected reliably and affordably.

Joe Biden

00:12:37 - 00:12:59 ()

And I want to thank the companies who are working with us to deliver this for all families. It's a big deal. And this is a great example of what we can achieve if the federal government and the private sector work together to solve serious problems. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:12:59 - 00:13:24 ()

And this is -- not only is it this great news for family budgets, it also means more jobs, more new small businesses, more connectivity. So many people in so many communities that have been left behind. Already, more than 11.5 million have signed up and are on the program. Thousands more are signing up each day. And you can get started by taking advantage of this -- in this new phase today.

Joe Biden

00:13:24 - 00:13:39 ()

They're -- but we urge -- there's about 30 million additional people who are eligible for this plan that basically get free Internet and good Internet. We want each of you -- each and every one of you to take advantage of the chance and cut your Internet cost.

Joe Biden

00:13:39 - 00:13:58 ()

To find out if you're eligible, you can dial 877-384-2575. Now, if you got that, you're way ahead of me. [Laughter] 877-384-2575, and -- for English or Spanish.

Joe Biden

00:13:58 - 00:14:07 ()

Or if you're able to get onto the Internet, just visit, Get- -- just go to GetInternet.gov, and you'll be able to connect as well.

Joe Biden

00:14:07 - 00:14:33 ()

You know, we're also working with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as local and national organizations, to help get more eligible families enrolled so they can get connected. You got to know how to know, as a friend of mine used to say. You know, this program is a big deal. It's the only one -- only one piece of work that we're doing to try to bring down the cost of high-speed Internet to every single American.

Joe Biden

00:14:33 - 00:15:00 ()

We're also promoting the -- competition. More than 65 million Americans live in a place with only one high-speed Internet provider. Research shows that when you live somewhere with limited Internet options, you pay five times more on average than families that have more choices. That's what the lack of cont- -- lack of competition does: It raises the prices you pay. So, we're working to fix that problem as well.

Joe Biden

00:15:00 - 00:15:32 ()

For example, my administration is taking steps to put a stop to the exclusive deals that landlords make with Internet companies. Because [of] those sweetheart arrangements, millions of Americans who live in apartment buildings only have one Internet option. And they -- they can stop -- if they can stop those exclusive deals, then families will have options to choose a provider that they want, and that means companies will have to compete for their business, which in turn means lower prices.

Joe Biden

00:15:32 - 00:15:57 ()

In addition, more than 30 million Americans live in places where the speeds are too slow or where there is no broadband and there's no infrastructure at all. That's especially true in rural communities. And as I said at the start: Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we're delivering high-speed Internet infrastructure to every part of the country. And I mean that literally -- every part of the country.

Joe Biden

00:15:57 - 00:16:11 ()

The bottom line is this: My top priority is fighting inflation and lowering prices for families and the things they need. Today's announcement is going to give millions of families a little more -- a little more breathing room to help them pay their bills.

Joe Biden

00:16:11 - 00:16:24 ()

You know, we worked with Democrats and Republicans and business and non-profits to make this happen. And we're going to keep working to fight inflation and lower cost of -- to all American families for a lot of other things as well.

Joe Biden

00:16:24 - 00:16:32 ()

But again, I want to thank the businesses that are here today. I want to thank the Internet companies -- or the providers. It really matters. You're going to change people's lives.

Joe Biden

00:16:32 - 00:16:54 ()

And, by the way, you know, one of the things that is -- it's a totally different subject, and I'm just going to touch it for a second. There's an awful lot of growing data that what's happened because of COVID and other things -- the mental health problems are -- have become a serious problem. Feeling left out, feeling you can't participate, not knowing what to do.

Joe Biden

00:16:54 - 00:17:12 ()

I know -- and Vivek Murthy, the Surgeon General, is going to talk about this in another context. But, you know, I really think that just knowing that you belong, knowing and feeling that you can get access to what other people get on a regular basis will make a big difference for people.

Joe Biden

00:17:12 - 00:17:29 ()

So, God bless you all. And may God protect our troops. And all the members of Congress who made this happy -- I was going to name each one of you, and I was told don't, because people who aren't here wanted to be here. [Laughter] But I -- but I think I should name you anyway, shouldn't I? I mean -- no? [Laughter] Well, I don't know, man. Anyway. [Laughter]

Joe Biden

00:17:29 - 00:17:33 ()

They're all in the front here, and they're all doing a hell of a job. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:17:33 - 00:18:15 ()

I started off – and I had the list, I said, "Give me the... " And I started off with saying, "Cheri Bustos." And they said, "Wait, there's a lot of people who aren't here. Don't do it." Anyway. But I -- and the people who are here are, you know, John Hickenlooper, Cheri Bustos, Dan Kildee -- [laughter] -- Debbie Dingell, Tom O'Halleran, Eliza [sic] Slotkin -- excuse me, Elissa Slotkin, and -- and Representative Stansbury. So -- but there's a lot more to it, but anyway. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:18:15 - 00:18:24 ()

Thank you. It's going to make a big difference. Thank you, everybody. And stick around and sunbathe. [Laughter] All right. Thank you. [Applause]