WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Two North Carolina lawmakers argued Monday that COVID-19 has exposed all sorts of inequalities in American society, including when it comes to who has access to the internet.

Reps. Alma Adams and GK Butterfield, both Democrats, made the argument during a roundtable discussion with leaders from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). The virtual forum, which focused on how the schools are adjusting to the work-from-home environment amid the pandemic, was hosted by an FCC commissioner.

“The digital divide is real between the haves and have-nots, and it is untenable in a world ravaged now by COVID-19,” said Adams, D-12th District, kicking off the forum.

The coronavirus outbreak has forced many college students to go online to complete their coursework, including those at HBCUs.

However, data from Pew shows not all U.S. adults have the same access to high speed internet.

As of February 2019, 79 percent of white adults in the United States used broadband at home. By contrast, only 66 percent of black adults and 61 percent of Hispanic adults used it at home.

“Back in their hometowns, many HBCU students are suffering from the same lack of access to high speed internet. In today’s digital age, these issues have serious consequences for an institution’s ability to effectively educate its students,” said Butterfield, D-1st District, during his remarks.

As Congress looks to assemble another aid bill in response to the coronavirus, Adams and Butterfield say they want it to include funding for technological infrastructure.

As part of the roundtable, a representative from North Carolina A&T made this request of Congress.

“We need expansion of broadband into rural markets and underserved metropolitan areas, as well. Many of our students live in metropolitan areas but have no access to broadband,” said Tom Jackson, the vice chancellor for information technology at NC A&T.

With a fight brewing on Capitol Hill over various issues - including whether to provide aid to states - it is unclear if or when an additional aid package will come together.