MEDIA ADVISORY AND PUBLIC NOTICE

Congressman Al Green Opposes Department of Education Funding Cuts to Minority-Serving Institutions

(Washington, DC)— Today, Congressman Al Green opposed the United States Department of Education’s (ED) decision to cut $350 million in discretionary funding for Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) supporting enrollment in science and engineering programs, schools with significant Hispanic enrollment, and other federal grants. According to a letter by the U.S. Solicitor General, the funding will be frozen from multiple grant programs after the ED claimed that awarding funds to schools serving specific racial or ethnic groups may “violate the equal protection component of the Fifth Due Process Clause.” 

While the ED will allocate $132 million in mandatory funding appropriated by Congress, this is far less than what institutions serving Black, Hispanic, Asian American, Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students anticipated. The cuts could directly affect students seeking scholarships, research opportunities, cultural programs, and many more similar programs that help students of color succeed in higher education. 

Congressman Al Green stated, “These federal dollars are approved each year by Congress. The ED cutting and redirecting congressionally mandated funding represents a direct attack on students of color and underserved communities that have been left behind by our education system. Minority-Serving Institutions are lifelines for opportunity, especially in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Taking away these resources is a step backward in the fight for educational equity. Congress must act to restore the funds and protect every student who relies on these programs.”