Congresswoman Nikema Williams Calls for Increased HBCU Funding Beyond Reconciliation Package

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) led a letter urging full funding for the infrastructural upgrades needed at our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

As the American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan have morphed into reconciliation legislation, President Biden’s proposed $45 billion for educational institutions including HBCUs has been downsized to $2 billion in the House’s version of reconciliation legislation. This will leave more work to do to make lasting investments in HBCU infrastructure.

Congresswoman Williams’ letter calls for a markup of the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act, a bill that would fund comprehensive facility, technological, safety, and equipment updates at our HBCUs. Scheduling the bill’s consideration in a committee markup would be a critical first step to pass it into law.

“Not only am I HBCU made, the Fifth District has more HBCUs than any other Congressional District in the country,” said Congresswoman Williams, who is also a member of the HBCU Caucus. “I am proud to stand with President Joe Biden and support his Build Back Better Agenda, but the limited funding for HBCUs that is currently possible through reconciliation will leave more work to do for these critical institutions.

“Passing the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act will correct the historic and often intentional injustice of underfunding HBCUs while addressing the comprehensive infrastructural upgrades the institutions need. I am proud to lead this letter in support of Congresswoman Alma Adams’ IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act, and I also want to thank Congresswoman Adams for her tireless leadership on behalf of HBCUs.”

Click here to read the letter. 

CONTACT: PressGA05@mail.house.gov

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