Comer, Donalds, and Mace Open Hearing on the Importance of HBCUs and Responding to Campus Threats

WASHINGTON – Today, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform held a hearing requested by Representative Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) to examine the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and what the federal government is doing to respond to a string of recent bomb threats to many of their campuses. Ranking Member James Comer (R-Ky.), Representative Byron Donalds, and Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Ranking Member Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) opened the hearing by emphasizing all Americans, especially minorities, who attend institutions of higher education should be able to pursue their studies in a safe environment.

The Republican lawmakers highlighted how HBCUs have been subject to a plethora of substantial threats, and all should be taken seriously by the government and administration officials. They emphasized these ongoing threats are incredibly disruptive to campuses, requiring lock downs, campus closures, and cancelled classes. Comer, Mace, and Donalds concluded by stating their intent to learn about what federal agencies are doing to respond, track down, and arrest individuals responsible.

Excerpts of their remarks as prepared for delivery are below:

“I thank the Chairwoman for holding today’s hearing – which Mr. Donalds requested – on the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and what the federal government is doing to respond to a string of recent bomb threats to many of their campuses… Higher education has historically been an important avenue in this country for Americans to be able to achieve their American Dream. Unfortunately, HBCUs have recently been the subject of a number of bomb threats to their campuses.

“I also look forward to hearing from the government panel about what authorities federal agencies are leveraging to respond to these threats, what they are doing to track down and arrest the individual or individuals responsible, and how the federal government is ensuring HBCUs have the resources they need to secure their campuses,” said Ranking Member Comer.

“Over a dozen HBCUs received bomb threats on the first day of Black History Month. In response, I immediately requested this hearing to conduct oversight over the federal government’s response to these significant threats … Florida is home to four HBCUs. As someone who attended one of those institutions, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU)—once the target of a pipe bomber terrorist in 1999—I understand the importance of America’s HBCUs and the value they add to the landscape of higher education institutions,” said Rep. Donalds.

“Any attempt to threaten, intimidate, or inflict harm on innocent college students and staff, particularly students and staff at HBCUs, impedes their right to access high quality educational opportunities. And these threats also prevent students and faculty members from securing their fundamental right to safety while harming their overall wellbeing,” continued Rep. Donalds.

“South Carolina is proud of its citizens who choose to obtain higher education, and we are especially proud of our HBCU graduates. South Carolina is home to eight Historically Black Colleges… So it saddens me that we find ourselves today in a situation where a series of targeted bomb threats are disrupting campus life at HBCUs across the country, and putting students, faculty, and administration officials in fear for their lives. The impact these threats have on our HBCU communities are devastating, and we must respond with the full force of the federal government to mitigate those threats,” said Subcommittee Ranking Member Mace.