Why is Space Not Part of Biden s Infrastructure Plan? | Opinion Lisa Donnan and Julian Gresser On 5/6/21 at 7:30 AM EDT
President Joe Biden s $2 trillion infrastructure plan has lots of spending on key critical infrastructures, but space is not one of them.
The president did not mention space in his address to a joint session of Congress on April 28. Americans might be surprised that space is not deemed a critical infrastructure sector by the government, as defined by the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security.
According to CISA s definition, there are 16 critical infrastructure sectors whose assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination thereof.
It may be the most famous broadside launched by a government official in American history:
Sixty years ago this Sunday, Newton N. Minow invited the television executives gathered in Washington for his first official speech as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission to spend a day watching their own broadcasts.
“Keep your eyes glued to that set until the station signs off,” he said. “I can assure you that what you will observe is a vast wasteland.”
The basic concept that our communication systems are to serve the public not private interest is now missing in action
Newton N. Minow
Note From the Editors
The pace of impact through digital health in 2021 is off to a rapid start be it the number of transactions, the numerous legislative proposals and actions, or the focused attention of enforcement bodies. Given the accelerated pace of tech-enabled methods, such as telehealth or product development through streamlined digital tools and decentralized clinical trials, not to mention AI and big data s impact on diagnostic and research capacity, the policy and regulatory spotlight on digital health will no doubt be bright throughout this year. In the Industry Insights contribution for this issue, several of our digital health experts briefly summarize the focused attention of U.S. enforcement agencies on telehealth given significantly increased reimbursement trends in the area.
From Staff Reports
Beaver County is taking steps to secure reliable internet access for all residents and business owners.
The county’s Office of Planning and Redevelopment is partnering with engineering firm Michael Baker International to perform a survey of fixed and mobile broadband availability at multiple locations throughout Beaver County. The survey will determine what locations lack access to high-speed connectivity; two survey teams driving Michael Baker International vehicles will be performing the inventory beginning May 10.
“The (Federal Communications Commission) on paper says the county is covered, but we already know there are about 2,000 households in Beaver County that do not have access,” said Beaver County Commissioner Jack Manning at a recent work session. “We do know that for some of those that are covered and do have access it’s really not reliable.”
Susan Walsh/AP
toggle caption Susan Walsh/AP
Vice President Harris talks to reporters Tuesday as she leaves Milwaukee, a stop on her tour to promote President Biden s $2 trillion infrastructure proposal, which includes expanded broadband. Susan Walsh/AP
Vice President Harris has a big opportunity to shine with her latest assignment from President Biden: leading the White House push to expand broadband access. But it s a job that also comes with risks.
The pandemic has underscored the importance of having good internet, without which it became difficult to work from home, attend virtual classes, or stay in touch with family and friends. So there s momentum to deal with gaps in availability, and Biden said during his joint address to Congress last week that with Harris in charge, I know it will get done.