A first-term Democrat has introduced legislation to protect land-grant universities in an effort to block some of the White House’s steps to reduce federal funding for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Rep. Shomari Figures (D-Ala.) on Thursday introduced the Land-Grant Institution Parity Act, which would prohibit the secretary of Agriculture or any other federal official from reducing, eliminating or suspending funding to land-grant institutions without the authorization of Congress.
In a statement to The Hill, Figures pointed to the USDA’s February decision to suspend the 1890 scholars program as part of the Trump administration’s review of DEI policies. The program, introduced in 1992, provides tuition and room and board for students pursuing degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences or related fields at 19 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the nation.
“Earlier this year, the Trump administration suspended funding for historically Black land grant colleges, but did not pause the same funding for the predominately white land-grant institutions,” Figures said. “That is simply wrong and that decision sent a clear message about the vulnerability of programs designed to uplift underserved communities.”
The USDA’s decision to suspend the program sparked outrage among members of the Congressional Black Caucus, with many warning of the outsized impact the program’s pause would have on Black students seeking to enter the agricultural field.
The administration restored the program shortly after its initial suspension, but lawmakers have continued to express concerns over the White House’s efforts to eliminate any DEI programs.
“Under this bill, funding for land grant institutions will be treated equally and funds cannot be paused, cut, or eliminated without congressional approval,” Figures said Thursday. “I’m committed to protecting our HBCUs and the students that they serve.”
There are 107 HBCUs in the nation; only 19 are land-grant institutions.
President Trump has vowed to keep federal funding available for HBCUs and earlier this month launched an initiative to support the schools.
Figures’s bill has the support of multiple members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Co-sponsors for the legislation include Democratic Reps. Alma Adams (N.C.); Jennifer McClellan (Va.); Terri Sewell (Ala.); Valerie Foushee (N.C.); Bennie Thompson (Miss.); Hank Johnson (Ga.); Glenn Ivey (Md.); Robin Kelly (Ill.); Cleo Fields (La.); David Scott (Ga.); and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (Calif.).
Adams, in a statement to The Hill, called the legislation an “important step” to protecting HBCU funding.
“The Land-Grant Institution Parity Act is an important step to protect funding for our land-grant HBCUs and build equity in higher education,” said the North Carolina Democrat, who led the effort alongside Figures. “1890s schools have always punched above their weight and provided outsized benefits to their students, their research, and their communities.”
“They know how to do more with less, but they shouldn’t have to,” she added. “It’s time we ensure these institutions of excellence always receive the funding they deserve.”
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