Lawmakers Urge Senate Leaders to Pass FUTURE Act

A group of lawmakers is pushing the U.S. Senate leaders to pass the Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) legislation.

On Monday, 38 senators penned a joint letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to pass the bill that would reauthorize funding for all Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions.

In late September, the bill was stalled in Senate after objected by Senator Lamar Alexander who suggested a long-term fix.

“Ensuring that historically black colleges and universities have continued funding is something we all want to do,” Alexander had said. “However, instead of a short term patch, I favor a long term solution.”

Yet another bill dies in Senator McConnell’s legislative graveyard.

The #FUTUREAct would restore much-needed funding & certainty to our nation's HBCU's & MSI's. The Senate has a chance prove that we recognize the importance of these institutions—we must pass the #FUTUREActNow. https://t.co/uFo5QbWCBf

— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) November 5, 2019

While terming these institutions as an important part of the U.S. higher education and workforce development system, the letter called for immediate passage of the bill by the Senate.

“Given the importance of this funding to hundreds of institutions and millions of students, we request that Senate delay no longer and take-up the bipartisan FUTURE Act immediately to avoid permanent damage to our nations historic colleges,” the letter reads.

The reauthorization of the funds through the bill would further the capital improvement needs, as well as faculty and curriculum development and student services.

Those who signed the bill include Bernie Sanders, Patty Murray, Kamal Harris, Tom Udall, Elizabeth Warren, Corey Booker, Amy Klobuchar, and Tina Smith.

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