Biden administration announces plan to increase access to affordable high-speed internet
CBSJul 28, 2022
Biden Announces Plan to Slash Internet Prices for Low-Income Americans
Image copyright: The Washington Post
The Facts
On Mon., Biden announced a deal with 20 internet providers to allow millions of low-income Americans to access high-speed internet for no more than a discounted price of $30/month.
Americans qualify if their income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, or if any member of their household uses federal programs, such as Medicaid or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The Spin
Republican narrative
Should the government be doing something like discounting internet access? Of course not. But Biden couldn't miss an opportunity to bully corporations into participating in a social program that might be nothing more than a way of bribing low-income voters this November.
Democratic narrative
The Biden administration is fulfilling its promises to make high-speed internet affordable and accessible to all. Working to close the digital divide is a noble public goal that's been decades in the making.