HBCU Permanent Mandatory Funding Passes U.S. House of Representatives

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UNCF Bolsters Bill by Rallying 65,000 Letters to Congress on H.R. 5363

The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the amended FUTURE Act (H.R. 5363) with overwhelming bipartisan support. This version of the bill permanently extends mandatory funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) like Hispanic Serving Institutions, and those that serve Asian, Pacific Islander, and Alaskan populations to increase their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) outcomes. UNCF identified the bill earlier this year as its top priority on behalf of HBCUs and their student population.

“The House passed this bill, as they did in September, recognizing that there are some 2.5 million STEM jobs that go unfulfilled in the United States every single year,” said UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax. “There is a direct correlation between education and earnings, and there is a direct correlation between a STEM education and the fulfillment of our national priorities. We are steps away from a law, and while I commend the House leaders like Rep. Alma Adams, Rep. Bobby Scott, Rep. Richard Neal, Rep. Susan DelBene, and Rep. James Clyburn for shepherding this bill through, we must turn our attention to the Senate. I call on that body to deliver like it did last week. Let’s solidify the FUTURE for our institutions and students.”

“I want to call the vote total to everyone’s attention,” said UNCF Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Government Affairs Lodriguez V. Murray. “The FUTURE Act carried 100% support from the House Democratic Caucus and 50% support of the House Republican Conference. The support for HBCUs is solid in Congress. While there are so many issues that divide our people, HBCUs have long earned a reputation as a subject that brings people together. We saw that today, and I hope you see that again later this week when the Senate once again attempts passage of the FUTURE Act.”

Earlier today, Dr. Lomax joined Senate Health Labor Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Senator Doug Jones (D-AL), Rep. Adams (D-NC), Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX),  and Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) at a press conference to announce the bipartisan, bicameral measure, which passed the House of Representatives moments ago. The U.S. Senate is preparing to take up the measure.  The overall effort is supported by a groundswell of public support, including UNCF’s “Protecting Our FUTURE” campaign (www.uncf.org/protectingourfuture), which has resulted in 65,000 letters and 3,000 phone calls to Members of Congress to pass H.R. 5363, which now includes a streamlining process to simplify the application of federal funding for the students which are most in need.

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About UNCF
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.