Members of the federal Congressional Black Caucus presented a comprehensive list of budget considerations and policy recommendations to President Donald Trump, just hours before he and members of his executive cabinet met with more than 80 presidents and chancellors of historically black colleges and universities.
The letter, signed by CBC Chairman and Morehouse College graduate Rep. Cedric Richmond, commended President Trump for sharing growing interest from Republican members of Congress in black colleges, and charged him with taking seriously the opportunity to support the institutions.
“As the President of the United States, your actions speak loud and clear, your budget reflects your values, and federal agencies follow your guidance. So, you have an opportunity to create positive change that will have generational effects if you follow the talk at the table with action from your Administration,” said Rep. Richmond. “Things like increasing the maximum Pell Grant award, and doubling the funding for Pell Grants, doubling Title III funding, or providing two years of tuition-free education at HBCUs would all have incredible, positive effects and show that you are serious about living up to your promise to be a president for all Americans.”
The letter provided a list of CBC-sponsored legislation with HBCU capacity-building objectives, including passed bills on the preservation of historic buildings on black college campuses and capital financing improvement.
The meeting between President Trump and the HBCU presidents captured national attention and drew widespread scrutiny of the new executive order signed by the president during the two-day meeting between the campus leaders and federal elected officials.
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