Representatives Tran, Costa, Lofgren; Senators Padilla & Schiff Lead California Delegation to Oppose Diversion of Funding for Minority-Serving Institutions

WASHINGTON- U.S. Representatives Derek Tran (CA-45), Jim Costa (CA-21), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), and U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) led the California Democratic Congressional Delegation in a letter strongly opposing the Department of Education's decision to rescind $350 million in funding from Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). The lawmakers also voiced their disappointment and disagreement with the Department of Justice's July 25th determination that Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) apply "racial quotas" in a manner that is "unconstitutional," especially since no court has found the MSI program unconstitutional or instructed the Department of Education to reprogram this funding. The signatories also warn the Department's actions would disproportionately harm Californian students and weaken California's-and America's-long-term competitiveness.

Read the full text of the letter HERE.

"To be clear, diverting resources away from these schools will disproportionately harm California students and students across the nation who depend on MSIs as the most accessible and affordable pathway to a degree," wrote the lawmakers. "It would also weaken proven engines of upward mobility, deprive our workforce of diverse talent, and undercut the nation's long-term competitiveness."

"Rather than reallocate scarce dollars from MSIs to HBCUs and TCCUs, we urge you to allocate funding as intended by Congress to support all MSIs, HBCUs, and TCCUs. … Equitable sustained funding across the spectrum of MSIs, HBCUs, and TCCUs will ensure that more institutions can continue broadening opportunity, reducing inequities, and powering the American economy," continued the lawmakers. "Our collective goal must be to invest in all students, no matter which institution they attend."

BACKGROUND

California's 45th Congressional District is home to five minority-serving institutions: CSU Fullerton, Cypress College, Fullerton College, Cerritos College, and Coastline College. Funding cuts for MSI grant programs will eliminate over $10 million in critical education funding across these institutions alone. CSU Fullerton will lose capacity for faculty hiring, transfer student admissions, and undergraduate retention programs - directly affecting over 8,000 students and 100 faculty and support staff. Additional cuts include:

• Approximately $2 million from Fullerton College;
• $2.5 million from Cypress College;
• $2.5 million from Coastline College, and;
• $3 million from Cerritos College.

These institutions rely on federal funding to provide vital support and services for students to help them complete their degree. The Trump Administration's decision to end funding for MSIs could threaten the institutions' ability to adequately serve all the students they enroll.

California has the largest concentration of MSIs in the country. There are 170+ HSIs and 85 eligible AANAPISIs. In addition, MSIs enroll the majority of first-generation and low-income students in California and consistently demonstrate higher rates of economic mobility than non-MSI institutions. The Department of Education's decision to reprogram funding from the MSI program undermines the ability of these universities to serve communities that have long been underrepresented in higher education.

Representative Tran is a vocal advocate for protecting vital funding for and access to educational opportunities for all students. In July, Tran signed onto two lettersdemanding the release of billions in withheld funding for K-12 educational institutions, including $928 million for California schools alone. He recently joined his colleagues on a letteropposing the Trump Administration's elimination of special education programs within the Department of Education. Tran also voted againstthe budget reconciliation package that slashes funding for Pell Grants and creates barriers to eligibility for Pell benefits, and cosponsored H.R. 1666, the Pell Grant Sustainability Act,to ensure that students can access the financial resources they need to pursue higher education. Tran also proudly cosponsoredH.R. 433, the Department of Education Protection Act, to safeguard against attempts to dismantle the Department of Education.

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Congressman Derek Tran represents California's 45th Congressional District. Serving his first term in Congress, Congressman Tran is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Small Business Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee. Congressman Tran is the son of Vietnamese refugees, a Veteran, and fought for consumers as an attorney before entering Congress.