CAPAC Chair Criticizes Lack of Funding for Minority Serving Institutions in Continuing Resolution

Washington, D.C. –Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), issued the following statement criticizing the lack of funding for Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the Continuing Resolution introduced today to keep the federal government open for one month:

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) – including Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) – have proven to be incredibly successful at leveling the playing field so students of color can have better opportunities and a shot at a better future. These institutions are particularly vital in that they produce some of our best and brightest minds in STEM. But all of that success has been put in jeopardy by Republican refusal to consider the FUTURE Act – which protects critical funding for HBCUs and MSIs.

“We have been sounding the alarm for months that funding is about to expire, but Senate Republicans refused to act, allowing funding to expire on September 30, 2019. We had another chance this week with the continuing resolution, but Republicans once again refused. This means that MSIs currently preparing for the next school year have to consider which teachers, programs, classes, or other funding must be cut in order to compensate for the loss of federal funding. This translates into less opportunity for students and fewer future STEM leaders from communities of color. In other words, Republican refusal to act is furthering racial inequality while holding back the American economy. The FUTURE Act already passed the House without objection. Rather than continue to hold this bill hostage, the Senate should pass the FUTURE Act immediately.”

Under Title III, Part F of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), this funding is used to support tutelage in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields at MSIs, but its authorization expired on September 30, 2019. H.R. 2486, the Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act, which passed the House by voice vote on September 17, 2019 would have extended mandatory funding for this program through Fiscal Year 2021.