The NPR Politics Podcast

Mitch Landrieu, The Man Biden Hopes Can Rebuild America, Bring Broadband To Millions

Jul 4, 2023

Mitch Landrieu, former mayor of New Orleans, is at the forefront of implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, a $1.2 trillion initiative aimed at revitalizing the nation's infrastructure. In this discussion, he emphasizes the Affordable Connectivity Program, providing vital internet subsidies to low-income families, positioning internet access as essential rather than a luxury. The conversation touches on the political stakes of expanding broadband access and its transformative potential for underserved communities, drawing parallels to historical milestones like the New Deal.

13:19

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Episode guests

Mitch Landrieu

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

The Political Ambitions and Challenges of Connectivity

2min

Building Bridges: Infrastructure and Connectivity for All

3min

Transforming Access: Rebuilding Infrastructure and Digital Connectivity

2min

Bridging the Digital Divide: The Imperative of Internet Access

6min

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Act is a $1.2 trillion law meant to spur a massive infrastructure renewal and rebuilding program complete with new bridges, railroads and highways.

It also allocates $65 million to expand internet access to all.

Mitch Landrieu, the former mayor of New Orleans, is the man Biden tapped to make sure the massive job gets done.

In this episode from Consider This from NPR, Scott Detrow speaks with Landrieu about the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides monthly $30 subsidies for lower-income individuals to buy Internet access, and with Kathryn de Wit, project director for the Pew Charitable Trust's Broadband Access Initiative, about why accessing the internet is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.

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