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November 6, 2021
A Statement from Brenda Victoria Castillo, President & CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC)
In the final hours of Friday night, the U.S. House of Representatives finally passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a critical piece of legislation that has been stalled for months. This legislation will now begin to address our Nation’s crumbling infrastructure and close the digital divide.
When signed by President Biden, this legislation will expand broadband access and affordability to Latinx, BIPOC, and vulnerable communities. The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) commends the U.S. House and Speaker Nancy Pelosi for getting this historic and critically needed piece of legislation across the finish line.
Over the last two years, COVID-19 elevated what our communities already knew: access to the internet affects every aspect of our daily lives. Investing in digital equity will ensure that Latinx, BIPOC, and vulnerable communities have affordable and reliable access to high-speed internet at home to lower barriers to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides $65 billion to address the digital divide, including $42.45 billion for broadband deployment, $2.75 billion for digital inclusion, and $14.2 billion for the Affordable Connectivity Fund. This bold investment in broadband access will make important progress in the movement to close the digital divide for Latinx communities.
NHMC congratulates Congress on passing meaningful legislation and making digital equity more of a near-future reality. We look forward to President Biden signing this bill into law and for Congress to advance the rest of the President’s agenda and pass the Build Back Better Act.
Yours in the Movement,
Brenda Victoria Castillo
President & CEO
National Hispanic Media Coalition
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