Via Teleconference
1:28 P.M. PDT
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everyone. It is good to be with you.
Before I begin, I will address the historic legislation that President Joe Biden will soon sign into law. Because of President Biden's leadership, our administration will lower healthcare costs, lower energy costs, fight the climate crisis, and create good-paying jobs.
By doing so, we will create opportunity in communities across our nation, including Tribal communities. We will fund climate resilience and adaptation programs to help Tribal communities address the climate crisis. We will provide emergency drought relief to Tribal communities across the West. We will electrify homes across Indian Country. And we will help Tri- — Tribes build wind and solar power projects to lower the cost of electricity for Native families.
And as we make the largest investment in fighting climate change in our nation's history, we will rely on the centuries of indigenous knowledge and experience Tribal communities have in protecting our Earth and reminding us all of how precious our earth is.
Our leadership, together in partnership with Tribal leadership, is essential to getting this work done. Our administration is fighting to make sure every person in America has the opportunity to succeed and to thrive.
Today, we have convened this call to discuss one front in that fight: high-speed Internet. In the 21st century, high-speed Internet is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Without high-speed Internet, it is more difficult for students to take online classes; it is more difficult for seniors to book telehealth appointments, including for mental health; and it is more difficult for small-business owners to succeed.
As Vice President, I have spoken with leaders across Indian Country like Chumash Chairman Kenneth Kahn and Aaron Payments of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe. And we have discussed the great need in Native communities for high-speed Internet.
Today, one in three Americans who live in rural areas and on Tribal lands lack access to high-speed Internet, and many more people cannot afford a high-speed Internet plan even when it is available.
Every person in our country, no matter where they live, should be able to access and afford a high-speed Internet plan. That is why today I am proud to announce $500 million in grants that are being awarded to Tribal applicants this month — including Tribal governments, Tribal schools, and utility companies in New Mexico, California, Arizona, Nebraska, South Dakota, Alaska, and more — including $26 million for Pueblo Isleta, whose governor, Vernon Abeita, has been a great advocate for connecting Indian Country. And you will hear from him soon.
And last week, we made available an additional $1 billion in grants this year to connect Tribal communities — because we all know we are working hard, we are getting a lot done, but there are still so many communities that do not have access to high-speed Internet — too many.
