John — here in New York City, the first day of school is just around the corner. In some other places, the school year has already begun: largely online, so that students and teachers can do their lessons in a safe, socially distant manner.

Yet there are thousands of Americans without access to the internet, from rural to urban areas. They go enormous lengths just to do basic tasks for their online classes, job interviews, and telehealth appointments — like standing outside the McDonald's parking lot or getting in range of their local library.

No one should have to do this, much less during a global pandemic when access to the internet is critical. That's why I'm planning to join the fight for universal broadband access when I get to Congress, along with leaders like Rep. Ro Khanna. If you agree, will you add your name?

Lack of internet access isn't just an issue in rural areas, either. In New York City alone, 18% of all households do not have access to the internet at home today — and 46% of the city's households in poverty lack broadband altogether.^[1] And across the nation, 10% of Black households and 13% of Native American households have no internet subscription, compared to 6% of white households.^[2]

This is simply unacceptable. And as a former educator, John, take it from me: distance learning or no distance learning, pandemic or no pandemic, having reliable and proper internet access is critical in the 21st century.

I'm ready to lead on this issue in Congress. But for now, I want to make sure we're letting those currently in power know how important this issue is to us. Add your name to the petition here:

Thanks for taking action,

Jamaal Bowman