U.S. Senators Press Education Department Over 'Illegal' Funding Reallocation from Minority-Serving Institutions

A group of U.S. Senators and Representatives, including Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), have sent a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, criticizing the Trump Administration's decision to redirect congressionally allocated funds from Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). Lawmakers argue this reallocation, announced on September 22, 2026, is illegal and pits institutions serving minority students against each other.