Congressman Cleaver Meets with Sec. Julián Castro to Call for Expanded Access to the Internet
On Thursday, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II met with Secretary Julián Castro to push for closing the Digital Divide. Congressman Cleaver and Secretary Castro discussed many topics in a wide-ranging conversation, including affordable housing, rural development, and energy efficiency in homes. Congressman Cleaver thanked Secretary Castro for the Department's proposed demonstration project to tackle the problem of the digital divide. He asked the Secretary to include within the demonstration the ability for public housing agencies to help cover the cost of internet access for residents— as they would any other utility.
"The digital divide is, at its heart, an issue that only perpetuates existing social and economic inequality," stated Congressman Cleaver. "It is past time that public policy reflect the reality of how the internet is used: as an essential service for everyday life. We must address the problem of the digital divide not only in our schools, libraries, and community gathering places, but also in the home. Secretary Castro has worked to raise the profile of the digital divide within the Department and among housing stakeholders, and I urge him to continue this good work. I would like to thank Secretary Castro for launching a demonstration project to get the Department of Housing and Urban Development directly involved in tackling the tough problem of the digital divide. I look forward to continuing to work with the Department and with my colleagues in Congress to find solutions, and close the digital divide once and for all."
As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, one of the Congressman's key priorities will be to address the digital divide from a housing perspective. One survey revealed that ninety-four percent of recruiters use or plan to use the internet to find potential employees. In Kansas City, seventy percent of Kansas City Public School students lacked internet access at home.
Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.