August 11, 2021

High-speed internet has quickly become essential for everyday life whether it’s for education, job search, or healthcare, yet there are 16 million Black Americans who do not have a computer or access to high-speed internet. Without significant progress, a widening “Digital Divide” over the next twenty-five years has the potential to disqualify three in four Black Americans from 86% of U.S. jobs.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act presents a significant step closer to leveling the playing field for all Americans with $42.5B for broadband infrastructure grants to both underserved and unserved communities, provides benefits for low-income users, supports digital literacy and offers equal access to service and speeds no matter the provided area.

We applaud the bipartisan efforts within the Senate to develop this transformational bill and get it passed with the necessary urgency. Now as the legislation moves to the House, we urge members to carry that bipartisan momentum forward and pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.