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Charlotte NC

FUTURE Act Headed to Floor for Vote

September 17, 2019

Washington, DC — The Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act, introduced by Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), founder and co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus and Congressman Mark Walker (NC-6) is scheduled for a vote on the House floor tonight.

The FUTURE Act would reauthorize $255 million in critical funding for Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) for the next two years, including $85 million for HBCUs. This legislation will improve the self-sufficiency of HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and others while strengthening their ability to serve low-income students. Without reauthorization, this funding will expire on September 30, 2019. The FUTURE Act is the number one priority of MSIs, which educate nearly 30 percent of all undergraduate students.

"Allowing these vital funds to expire will shut the doors on thousands of students nationwide. HBCUs and other minority serving institutions provide pathways of opportunity for millions of Americans, many of whom are first generation or low-income students," said Congresswoman Adams. "The federal government helped establish HBCUs with a firm promise to ensure that these schools had the funding and resources needed to educate underserved and underrepresented students. This is a sacred promise that Congress must uphold. That is why the FUTURE Act is important and why every Member of Congress has a responsibility to honor our promise and support this bill - failing to do so would be unconscionable."

"In the rapidly changing environment of higher education, our schools and students – especially those at minority-serving institutions, need the stability and assuredness that comes with knowing they have our full support," said Congressman Walker."Tonight, the House needs to pass the FUTURE Act to boost opportunities for HBCUs and the students they serve."