Reps. Castro, Kelly, Clarke, Meng, Garcia, Davis Lead 81 Colleagues in Fight Against Diversion of Funds from Minority-Serving Institutions

Reps. Castro, Kelly, Clarke, Meng, Garcia, Davis Lead 81 Colleagues in Fight Against Diversion of Funds from Minority-Serving Institutions

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chair of the Hispanic-Serving Institutions Caucus, joined leaders in the Congressional Tri-Caucus, including Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02), co-chair of the Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) Caucus, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the PBI Caucus, Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Congressman Jesús "Chuy" Garcia (IL-04), and Congressman Danny K. Davis (IL-07), co-chair of the PBI Caucus in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary Linda McMahon regarding the diversion of funds from Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). 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 (TCUs). 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," the members wrote. "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 concluded. "Our collective goal must be to uplift all students, no matter which institution they attend."

Read the full letter here.