Reps. Kelly, Clarke, Meng, Garcia, Castro, Davis lead 81 colleagues in letter to Education Secretary against diversion of funds from Minority-Serving Institutions

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02), co-chair of the Predominantly Black Institution Caucus, sent a letter to U.S. Secretary Linda McMahon regarding the diversion of funds from Minority-Serving Institutions to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Rep. Kelly was joined by leaders in the Congressional Tri-Caucus, including U.S. Reps: Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the PBI Caucus; Grace Meng (NY-06), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus; Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), who leads this letter from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus; Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chair of the Hispanic Serving Institutions Caucus; and Danny K. Davis (IL-07), co-chair of the PBI Caucus. Additionally, 81 Members of Congress signed the letter.

Earlier this month, Education Secretary McMahon announced that the administration will cut MSI grants by $350 million to increase funding to HBCUs and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities. MSIs serve millions of Black, Hispanic, Asian and Native American students, offering affordable education to some of the country's most economically disadvantaged students.

"While we deeply value and support the role of HBCUs and TCUs play in advancing educational opportunities, shifting resources from Minority-Serving Institutions undermines the broader national commitment to serve all students," wrote the members in the letter. "These colleges and universities play a critical role in advancing opportunities for students from all backgrounds who would otherwise be left behind. Diverting funds would not only hurt these institutions' ability to serve underrepresented students, but it would also disproportionately harm the students who rely on them for access to affordable, high-quality higher education."

"We urge you to reject efforts that pit these institutions against one another and instead champion comprehensive solutions that recognize the unique and complementary contributions of each," the members conclude. "Our collective goal must be to uplift all students, no matter which institution they attend."

Illinois is home to several PBIs, including Chicago State University, Malcolm X College, Prairie State College, and South Suburban College.

Read the full letter here.