Reps. Garcia, Adams Lead Letter Raising Concerns Over Governor Abbott's Rushed Texas Southern University Investigation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), and founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC-12), led a letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressing deep concern over his decision to order a law enforcement investigation into Texas Southern University (TSU) before a state audit is finalized.

"Texas Southern University is being put at risk before the facts are even on the table," said Congresswoman Garcia. "Launching a law enforcement investigation while an audit is still underway threatens TSU's funding, damages its reputation, and creates uncertainty for students and faculty. Accountability matters, but so does fairness. The governor owes Texans a clear explanation for why this step was taken early and how he plans to protect the future of the state's only independent public HBCU."

"Our country's Historically Black Colleges and Universities deserve fair due process when facing investigations, not political theater that threatens their ability to serve their students and communities," said Congresswoman Adams. "Governor Abbott's treatment of Texas Southern University, calling in the Texas Rangers to investigate and having his Lieutenant Governor threaten to freeze the school's funds before the state's audit report is even released, is extremely inappropriate, and we will not stand for it. I look forward to Governor Abbott's answers to our questions because the students, teachers, and alumni of TSU deserve accountability for these actions."

Governor Abbott ordered the Texas Rangers and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to investigate TSU's finances after a state auditor issued preliminary findings identifying possible financial mismanagement involving hundreds of millions of dollars. However, the State Auditor's Office has not released final findings, and the audit remains ongoing.

The Members emphasize that while any confirmed misuse of funds must be addressed and those responsible held accountable, ordering a law enforcement investigation before the audit is finalized raises serious concerns. They also note that TSU's Board of Regents has pledged full cooperation and reform.

TSU is the only independent public Historically Black College and University in Texas and is not affiliated with a larger university system. The Members warn that an open-ended investigation, combined with threats to the university's funding, places TSU's autonomy and long-term mission at risk.

The letter further notes that all current members of TSU's Board of Regents were appointed by Governor Abbott, including three new appointees this year, and raises concerns about initiating a law enforcement probe before final audit findings are issued.