{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-bill-to-strengthen-partnerships-between-hbcus-and-federal-agencies-headed-to-white-house/", "Scott Bill To Strengthen Partnerships Between HBCUs and Federal Agencies Headed To White House", "2020-12-11", "2020", "2020-12", "Republican", "Senate", "SC", "Tim Scott", "S001184", "www.scott.senate.gov", "timscott", "https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Today, the United States Senate passed the HBCU Propelling Agency Relationships Towards a New Era of Results for Students (PARTNERS) Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.). The bill, previously passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, is now headed to the president\u2019s desk for a signature. If signed into law, this legislation will strengthen partnerships between federal agencies and the country\u2019s more than 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).\n\nThe HBCU PARTNERS Act builds on the President\u2019s 2017 executive order on HBCUs. It will require federal agencies with relevant grants and programs to undertake annual planning and coordinate their efforts to support and expand HBCU participation those programs. The bill strengthens the rigor and transparency requirements of existing law by requiring that agencies track their progress toward past goals and share their plans with Congress. In addition, it codifies the President\u2019s Board of Advisors on HBCUs, ensuring an ongoing avenue for the institutions\u2019 priorities and policy concerns to be raised.\n\n\u201cOur HBCUs have unlocked opportunities for generations of students, especially in underserved communities, and I am excited that this bipartisan bill is making its way to the President\u2019s desk,\u201d said Senator Tim Scott. \u201cThe HBCU PARTNERS Act is a great step forward for these schools and their students. I look forward to this critical legislation being signed into law to help these institutions continue their legacies.\u201d\n\n\u201cHBCUs like Delaware State University play a critical role in helping to ensure that every American has access to higher education, and I\u2019m so proud that our bipartisan bill to support the missions of HBCUs is one step closer to becoming law,\u201d said Senator Coons. \u201cWe have much more work ahead to make college accessible and affordable for all Americans, and HBCUs are an important part of that work,\u201d said Senator Chris Coons.\n\nThe HBCU PARTNERS Act was co-sponsored by U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA), Doug Jones (D-AL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mike Braun (R-IN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT). A companion bill was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Mark Walker (NC-06) and Alma Adams (NC-12).\n\n\u201cCreating a comprehensive federal partnership with America\u2019s HBCUs is essential for Congress\u2019 shared goal of directing unprecedented support for North Carolina\u2019s HBCUs like North Carolina A&T, Winston-Salem State, Elizabeth City State, North Carolina Central, Bennett, Johnson, C. Smith, and Shaw \u2013 proud and historic institutions which I am privileged to support,\u201d Walker said. \u201cWith this bipartisan legislation passed through Congress and on its way to the president\u2019s desk, the HBCU PARTNERS Act further cements our nation\u2019s commitment to these vital educational institutions.\u201d\n\n\u201cHistorically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are agents of access and equity in this country, said Congresswoman Adams. \u201cThe HBCU PARTNERS Act recognizes these contributions in the most important way possible: by affording these institutions the ongoing support and investment needed to deepen their transformational work. This legislation will require every administration and the federal agencies it manages to plan and coordinate, on an annual basis, their efforts to strategically engage with and invest in HBCUs. In addition, it codifies the President\u2019s Board of Advisors on HBCUs, ensuring an ongoing avenue for HBCU priorities and policy concerns to be raised and addressed. Advancing the mission of HBCUs and the success of the communities they serve must be on the minds of our country\u2019s leaders, and more importantly, it must be part of their agendas.\u201d\n\n\u201cThank you to my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus and the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus for their support, as well as all of the organizations that are tireless advocates for HBCUs, in getting this bill passed,\u201d Adams concluded.\n\nFull text of the bill is available HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-28T00:42:23Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-bill-to-strengthen-partnerships-between-hbcus-and-federal-agencies-headed-to-white-house/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.3995440676808357, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}