Alert

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, released the following statement today commending President Trump’s Executive Order on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities offer a unique environment that provides students the foundation they need to succeed in their academic and post-academic careers,” Blunt said. “President Trump’s Executive Order recognizes the critical role HBCUs play in expanding access to higher education, and enhances public-private partnerships to help strengthen these institutions over the long term. Missouri is home to two of our nation’s top HBCUs and, as chairman of the Labor/HHS appropriations subcommittee, I’ve been proud to lead efforts to increase resources for HBCUs and restore year-round Pell Grants to help more students get the education they need to get ahead. I look forward to working with the president to achieve the goals laid out in this order.”

In June of last year, Blunt visited Harris-Stowe State University to discuss his efforts to restore year-round Pell Grants, which would provide students, on average, an extra $1,650 annually to help pay for college. Blunt also led efforts to increase funding for HBCUs in the FY 2016 omnibus appropriations bill, which was signed into law in December of 2015.