What's new in civic tech: Kamala Harris to tackle broadband

US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a listening session on broadband Internet at the New Hampshire Electric Co-op in Plymouth, New Hampshire, April 23, 2021, as she travels to the state to promote the administration's economic plans. — AFP

Vice President Kamala Harris will tackle broadband expansion with a focus on rural areas, President Joe Biden announced during his first address to a joint session of Congress.

Biden did so after stressing the importance of the country having reliable broadband infrastructure as well as making sure people are able to access it, saying, "It creates jobs connecting every American with high-speed Internet, including 35% of rural America that still doesn't have it. It's going to help our kids and our businesses succeed in the 21st century economy. And I'm asking the vice president to lead this effort if she would, because I know it will get done."