On Monday, November 13, 2023, U.S. Representative Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01) led 35 of his colleagues in sending a letter to House Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) and Ranking Member David Scott (GA-13) calling for increased broadband access for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) in the Farm Bill’s Rural Development title.
“According to the Department of Education, there are approximately 102 accredited HBCUs and 32 accredited TCUs in the United States,” outlined the Members. “Unfortunately, nearly 82 percent of HBCUs are located in “broadband deserts” – census blocks in urban areas – in which fewer than 33 percent of end-user premises do not have access to advanced telecommunications capability. In addition, the average speed of internet at accredited TCUs is over 10 times slower than at other four-year institutions, reflecting deep inequities in broadband access.”
The Members praised the work of the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Utilities Service and the billions included in the bipartisan infrastructure bill that are authorized for increasing broadband access. However, they noted that separate, but complementary, programs addressing the digital divide experienced by HBCUs and TCUs should be addressed in the upcoming Farm Bill.
“Using the authority given to USDA under the Rural Development title, we urge you to consider language in the Farm Bill reauthorization that prioritizes communities that include HBCUs and TCUs for broadband funding,” urged the Members. “Passing a bipartisan Farm Bill with these provisions included will not only send a strong message of support to historically marginalized communities and the higher education institutions within them, but will also help unlock billions of dollars in economic activity for Blacks, Native Americans, and other underserved groups.”
Rep. Jackson was joined by the following U.S. Representatives: Alma Adams (NC-12), Colin Allred (TX-32), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Cori Bush (MO-01), Troy Carter (LA-02), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Sharice Davids (KS-03), Don Davis (NC-01), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Jesús García (IL-04), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Kathy Manning (NC-06), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Wiley Nickel (NC-13), Eleanor Norton (DC-00), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Adam Schiff (CA-30), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Darren Soto (FL-09), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).
