Adams, Johnson Secure $1.2 Billion for HBCUs and MSIs in America COMPETES Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12), founder and co-chair of the HBCU Caucus,along with Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), Chair of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, secured $1.2 billion for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in the America COMPETES Act, which passed the House on Friday. America COMPETES is a comprehensive, strategic package that will power the success of America's workers, businesses and economy at home and position America to compete and win on the world stage.

Text of the amendment is available here.

"The America COMPETES Act of 2022 includes bipartisan science, research and technology bills to foster domestic innovation, including growing the American talent pool by strengthening and diversifying our nation's STEM workforce," said Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC). "Our amendment expands the research, educational, and innovation capacities at our HBCUs and MSIs, because every American deserves the chance to bring all of their talents and abilities into the economy. In addition, by establishing separate grant programs this legislation ensures that we are helping to advance President Biden's job creation agenda by ensuring that diverse institutions are able to access these new funds, invest in research infrastructure, and create opportunities in STEM for all."

"I was glad to join in supporting this amendment to increase funding for MSIs and HBCUs with my good friend and colleague Rep. Adams, and I thank her for her dedication to this effort," said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). "Our economic competitiveness and national prosperity depend in large part on our capacity to lead the world in science and innovation. We know that diversity unlocks innovation and yet we have failed to fully leverage the diverse talent available to us. I am incredibly proud of the provisions in the America COMPETES Act that support HBCUs and other MSIs. By supporting these institutions we will grow the STEM workforce and advance the research and innovation we need to take on the pressing challenges ahead and to compete around the world."

Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. represents North Carolina's 12th Congressional District (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County). She serves on the House Committee on Education and Labor, the House Agriculture Committee, and the House Financial Services Committee in the 117th Congress. Before being elected to Congress, she served as a professor at Bennett College in Greensboro for four decades. She serves as the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus.

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