Fostering Undergraduate Talent By Unlocking Resources for Education Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BUDD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Walker), my friend, for yielding, and I thank him for his leadership on this very important piece of legislation. And I also thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams), my colleague, for her leadership on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the FUTURE Act. This bipartisan bill would extend mandatory funding under title 3 of the Higher Education Act to HBCUs around the country.

HBCUs play a vital role in expanding opportunity to students in North Carolina, especially in my district, where I am fortunate to represent three of them: Bennett College, North Carolina A&T, and Livingstone College.

Now, a recent report I came across found that HBCUs generate $1.7 billion in Federal economic impact in North Carolina. This figure includes direct spending on faculty, academic programs, and by the students directly attending these institutions.

HBCUs are an engine of economic growth in our communities because they expand the economic playing field to students from every background. Our economy works best when everyone has a shot at success.

As current funding to HBCUs is set to expire on September 30, it is critical that this legislation makes it across the finish line and onto the President's desk.

The FUTURE Act would provide funding to more than 100 HBCUs across 19 different States. It will allow universities and their students to continue down the pathway to success. In my view, having healthy HBCUs is critical for our State's economic future.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friends again for their leadership on this bill.

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