Cortez Masto, Rosen Condemn Department of Education Decision to Defund Nevada’s Universities

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) condemned the United States Department of Education's decision to defund grants that support Nevada's students and the university system. The Department announced these program cuts yesterday. This year, the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) received a combined total of close to $18 million from the now-canceled grants, leaving the System with millions less in funding in the years to come.

"The Department's decision to steal funding from deserving universities is going to hurt Nevada students," said Senator Cortez Masto. "The Secretary's assertion that these programs lead to discrimination is ridiculous. Resources for Hispanic-Serving and Minority-Serving Institutions fund new labs, equipment, and support services that help students of every background. This is nothing more than Donald Trump's attempt to defund our education system and make it harder for students to succeed."

"Donald Trump's freezing of this critical funding is a direct assault on Nevada students who depend on it for their education," said Senator Rosen. "I'm calling on Secretary McMahon to release this funding and ensure the federal government fulfills its responsibility to support giving a quality education for our students."

The following programs are set to lose the entirety of their funding:

• Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (Title III Part A);
• Strengthening Predominantly Black Institutions (Title III Part A);
• Strengthening Asian American- and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (Title III Part A);
• Strengthening Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (Title III Part A);
• Minority Science and Engineering Improvement (Title III Part E);
• Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (Title V Part A); and
• Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (Title V Part B).

Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen have pushed multiple Departments under the Trump Administration for detailed, public information regarding the impacts of President Trump's federal funding freeze, hiring freeze, and terminations on Nevada - including to the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, General Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, and Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. The Senators have also pushed back against cuts that hurt students and families in need across Nevada, including to Sierra Nevada Job Corps, mental health grant funding, and food and nutrition programs.

###