Congresswoman Alma Adams, co-chair of the HBCU Caucus, and Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, chair of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, announced Tuesday they have secured $1.2 billion for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions (MSIs) in the America Creating Opportunities for Manufacturing, Pre-Eminence in Technology and Economic Strength (COMPETES) Act, which passed the House on Friday.

“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 Adams in a press release.

“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,” she continued. “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.”

In the same statement, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson said she was glad to join in supporting this amendment to increase funding for MSIs and HBCUs with Rep. Adams.

“Our economic competitiveness and national prosperity depend in large part on our capacity to lead the world in science and innovation,” she said. “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 Adams 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 is the founder and co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus.

Congresswoman Johnson is serving her 15th term representing the 30th Congressional District of Texas. She is the first African-American to chair the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and is the first nurse to be elected to the U.S. Congress.