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In Support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Floor Speech

Date: Dec. 3, 2019
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I thank the Congressional Black Caucus and Representative Adams in particular for dedicating this time to discuss an issue affecting so many communities across the country, and particularly Representative Adams for her leadership in congressional support for historically Black colleges and universities.

Since their conception, HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions have played a vital role in expanding access to higher education for low-income students and students of color.

Many present leaders, like physicians, dentists, lawyers, judges, and other professionals, and many elected officials, would not be where they are today but for the opportunity provided by HBCUs, especially the two in the Third District of Virginia, Hampton University and Norfolk State University.

That is why earlier this year, the House unanimously passed the FUTURE Act, a proposal to preserve funding for these institutions that expired on September 30. The FUTURE Act is fully paid for, and it would provide an immediate 2-year extension of funding, averting a financial crisis that could eventually result in lost jobs, program cuts, and reduced financial support for students.

A month later, the Committee on Education and Labor advanced the College Affordability Act, a comprehensive overhaul of the Higher Education Act that would increase access and affordability to higher education and specifically would increase and permanently reauthorize mandatory funding for historically Black colleges and other minority- serving institutions.

HBCUs and minority-serving institutions collectively serve more than one-quarter of all undergraduate students each year. That is more than 6 million students, including many from our Nation's most underserved communities.

It is important that we pass legislation extending the funding for these colleges and universities so that they can continue to fulfill their mission.

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