Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus Requests Joint Economic Committee Study on Economic Impact of HBCUS

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Alma S. Adams (D-NC) and Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL) led a Bipartisan group of 25 Members of the Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus in requesting a Joint Economic Committee study on the economic impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

In their letter, HBCU Caucus Members wrote, “In order to better understand the necessity and unique contributions that our nation’s HBCUs make on a consistent basis, we are requesting that the Joint Economic Committee conduct a study on the economic impact of these institutions. Specifically, we would like this study to examine economic factors such as student outcomes, academic research, employee salaries, institution spending, student spending, and the multiplier effect of these factors. Finally this study should explore the ability of HBCUs to graduate low-income students and the impact that an HBCU degree has on achieving positive upward mobility for its graduates.”

The Members continued, “This study will be critical in educating members of Congress and the general public about the integral role HBCUs play and support the mission of the first Bipartisan HBCU Caucus that we launched...”

The Bipartisan HBCU Caucus is currently comprised of 56 Members of Congress; and it is now bicameral, with the newest member being North Carolina Senator Richard Burr. The mission of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus is to promote and protect the interests of HBCUs by creating a national dialogue; educating Members of Congress and their staffs about the issues impacting HBCUs; drafting meaningful bipartisan legislation to address the needs of HBCUs; and supporting students and graduates of HBCUs by increasing access and career opportunities.

In addition to Representative Alma Adams (D-NC) and Representative Bradley Byrne (R-AL) the letter was signed by Reps. Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (D-VA), Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Steve Cohen (D-TN), John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Elijah E. Cummings (D-MD), Donna F. Edwards (D-MD), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), David Price (D-NC), Cedric L. Richmond (D-LA), Terri A. Sewell (D-AL), Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Mark Walker (R-NC), Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Frederica Wilson (D-FL).

Full text of the letter to the Joint Economic Committee is attached.