Education

HBCU Capital and Research Equity Act

Many HBCUs remain underfunded compared with peer institutions and face infrastructure gaps.

HighIdea6 linked bills3 explainersAdded Mar 19, 2026
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Topic

Education

The main issue area this future bill targets.

Latest Bill Update

Feb 4, 2026

Introduced in House

Sponsors and Scorecards

49

Linked legislators with scorecard records connected to this proposal.

Verification

6

Public source links pulled from linked bills and tracked actions.

Problem Statement

Many HBCUs remain underfunded compared with peer institutions and face infrastructure gaps.

Proposed Solution

Create long-term capital improvement grants, research endowment matching, and federal procurement pathways for HBCUs.

How to Verify This Page

Start with the linked real legislation below, then open the bill sources, action updates, sponsor records, and explainers tied to this proposal.

Real Legislation

H.R. 7341 - GRAD Act

Context: Federal • House • 119th Congress

Introduced: Feb 4, 2026

Sponsor: Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]

Latest Action: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Action Date: Feb 4, 2026

Source: Congress.gov / House Press Release

Updated 1 months agoSponsors: 15Scorecards: 15Actions: 3Direct MatchIn Committee
View sponsors

Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]

Primary Sponsor • D • VA

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

Cosponsor • D • DC

Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

Cosponsor • D • NC

Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

Cosponsor • D • IN

Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]

Cosponsor • D • LA

Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]

Cosponsor • D • NY

Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]

Cosponsor • D • TN

Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]

Cosponsor • D • IL

Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]

Cosponsor • D • LA

Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

Cosponsor • D • NC

Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

Cosponsor • D • GA

Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]

Cosponsor • D • PA

Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]

Cosponsor • D • AL

Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

Cosponsor • D • CA

Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Cosponsor • D • VA

View linked legislator scorecards
View action timeline

IntroReferral

Feb 4, 2026

Introduced in House

IntroReferral

Feb 4, 2026

Introduced in House

IntroReferral

Feb 4, 2026

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

H.R. 7660 - HBCU Empowerment and Reform Act

Context: Federal • House • 119th Congress

Introduced: Feb 24, 2026

Sponsor: Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]

Latest Action: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Action Date: Feb 24, 2026

Source: Congress.gov / GovInfo

Updated 1 months agoSponsors: 1Scorecards: 1Actions: 3Partial MatchIn Committee

Current tracked bill still addresses a meaningful portion of the future bill, but not enough for Direct.

View sponsors

Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]

Primary Sponsor • R • GA

View linked legislator scorecards
View action timeline

IntroReferral

Feb 24, 2026

Introduced in House

IntroReferral

Feb 24, 2026

Introduced in House

IntroReferral

Feb 24, 2026

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

H.R. 3281 - To prohibit the reduction, elimination, or suspension of funding for land-grant colleges and universities.

Context: Federal • House • 119th Congress

Introduced: May 8, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]

Latest Action: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Action Date: May 8, 2025

Source: Congress.gov / GovInfo

Updated 10 months agoSponsors: 18Scorecards: 18Actions: 4Direct MatchIn Committee
View sponsors

Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]

Primary Sponsor • D • AL

Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

Cosponsor • D • NC

Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]

Cosponsor • D • MO

Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5]

Cosponsor • D • OR

Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]

Cosponsor • D • LA

Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]

Cosponsor • D • LA

Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

Cosponsor • D • NC

Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4]

Cosponsor • D • MD

Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1]

Cosponsor • D • IL

Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

Cosponsor • D • GA

Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]

Cosponsor • D • CA

Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]

Cosponsor • D • IL

Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]

Cosponsor • D • VA

Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

Cosponsor • D • NJ

Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13]

Cosponsor • D • GA

Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]

Cosponsor • D • AL

Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

Cosponsor • D • CA

Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]

Cosponsor • D • MS

View linked legislator scorecards
View action timeline

IntroReferral

May 8, 2025

Introduced in House

IntroReferral

May 8, 2025

Introduced in House

IntroReferral

May 8, 2025

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Agriculture Committee

IntroReferral

May 8, 2025

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Education and Workforce Committee

H.R. 3793 - Minority Entrepreneurship Grant Program Act of 2025

Context: Federal • House • 119th Congress

Introduced: Jun 5, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

Latest Action: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

Action Date: Jun 5, 2025

Source: Congress.gov / GovInfo

Updated 10 months agoSponsors: 6Scorecards: 6Actions: 3Direct MatchIn Committee
View sponsors

Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

Primary Sponsor • D • GA

Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

Cosponsor • D • NC

Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]

Cosponsor • D • PA

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

Cosponsor • R • PA

Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]

Cosponsor • D • NY

Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]

Cosponsor • D • CA

View linked legislator scorecards
View action timeline

IntroReferral

Jun 5, 2025

Introduced in House

IntroReferral

Jun 5, 2025

Introduced in House

IntroReferral

Jun 5, 2025

Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

Small Business Committee

H.R. 2664 - To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for additional uses of funds for grants to strengthen historically Black colleges and universities, and for other purposes.

Context: Federal • House • 119th Congress

Introduced: Apr 7, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

Latest Action: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Action Date: Apr 7, 2025

Source: Congress.gov / GovInfo

Updated 12 months agoSponsors: 18Scorecards: 18Actions: 3Direct MatchIn Committee
View sponsors

Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

Primary Sponsor • D • NC

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

Cosponsor • D • DC

Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]

Cosponsor • D • OH

Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

Cosponsor • D • OR

Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

Cosponsor • D • IN

Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20]

Cosponsor • D • FL

Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30]

Cosponsor • D • TX

Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]

Cosponsor • D • NC

Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

Cosponsor • D • NC

Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]

Cosponsor • D • FL

Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1]

Cosponsor • D • IL

Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]

Cosponsor • D • MA

Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]

Cosponsor • D • NY

Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]

Cosponsor • D • NC

Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]

Cosponsor • D • AL

Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]

Cosponsor • D • NM

Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]

Cosponsor • D • WA

Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

Cosponsor • D • FL

View linked legislator scorecards
View action timeline

IntroReferral

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced in House

IntroReferral

Apr 7, 2025

Introduced in House

IntroReferral

Apr 7, 2025

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

S. 2068 - Minority Business Development Act of 2021

Context: Federal • Senate • 117th Congress

Introduced: Jun 15, 2021

Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]

Latest Action: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 228.

Action Date: Dec 17, 2021

Source: Congress.gov

Updated 4 years agoSponsors: 6Scorecards: 6Actions: 6Partial MatchIntroduced

Minority Business Development Act of 2021 This bill permanently authorizes the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), requires the MBDA to promote and administer programs that assist the development of minority business enterprises (MBEs), and establishes the Minority Business Enterprises Advisory Council to advise and assist the MBDA. Specifically, the bill requires the MBDA to (1) provide assistance to MBEs in domestic and foreign markets by making available specified resources, (2) promote the position of MBEs in local economies, and (3) collect data on the causes of MBE success or failure and research how economic conditions affect the development of MBEs. The bill establishes formal processes for the MBDA Business Center Program and the MBDA Rural Business Center Program through which business centers provide programs and services to support MBEs. The bill also establishes new initiatives to promote economic resiliency for minority businesses, including (1) an annual forum to review problems and programs relating to capital formation by MBEs, (2) a study and report on alternative financing solutions for MBEs, and (3) entrepreneurship education grants for certain institutions of higher education to develop and implement entrepreneurship curricula. Further, the bill establishes grants for certain nonprofit organizations that provide services to MBEs as one of their primary activities. The bill authorizes the MBDA to coordinate federal government programs and operations that affect the establishment, preservation, and strengthening of socially or economically disadvantaged businesses. The Government Accountability Office must report on the programs carried out pursuant to the bill.

Approved from review bundle alternate replacement.

View sponsors

Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]

Primary Sponsor • D • MD

Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]

Cosponsor • D • WI

Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

Cosponsor • D • WA

Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

Cosponsor • R • TX

Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]

Cosponsor • R • SC

Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

Cosponsor • R • MS

View linked legislator scorecards
View action timeline

Committee

Dec 17, 2021

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Committee

Dec 17, 2021

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Calendars

Dec 17, 2021

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 228.

Committee

Aug 4, 2021

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

IntroReferral

Jun 15, 2021

Introduced in Senate

IntroReferral

Jun 15, 2021

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Linked Legislator Scorecards

Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

Cosponsor • House • D • NC

Net Impact

88.16

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

Cosponsor • House • D • DC

Net Impact

76.80

Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7]

Cosponsor • House • D • AL

Net Impact

67.76

Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]

Primary Sponsor • House • D • GA

Net Impact

66.88

Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

Cosponsor • House • D • IN

Net Impact

63.36

Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]

Primary Sponsor • House • D • VA

Net Impact

58.08

Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]

Cosponsor • House • D • OH

Net Impact

56.32

Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]

Cosponsor • House • D • PA

Net Impact

56.32

Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

Cosponsor • House • D • NC

Net Impact

54.56

Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]

Cosponsor • House • D • TN

Net Impact

53.92

Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]

Cosponsor • House • D • MS

Net Impact

53.92

Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]

Cosponsor • House • D • MA

Net Impact

49.28

Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

Cosponsor • House • D • OR

Net Impact

47.52

Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]

Cosponsor • House • D • NY

Net Impact

47.52

Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30]

Cosponsor • House • D • TX

Net Impact

47.52

Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]

Cosponsor • House • D • IL

Net Impact

47.52

Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1]

Cosponsor • House • D • IL

Net Impact

47.52

Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12]

Cosponsor • House • D • PA

Net Impact

47.52

Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]

Cosponsor • House • D • WA

Net Impact

47.52

Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20]

Cosponsor • House • D • FL

Net Impact

40.48

Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]

Cosponsor • House • D • LA

Net Impact

40.48

Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10]

Cosponsor • House • D • FL

Net Impact

40.48

Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]

Cosponsor • House • D • NY

Net Impact

40.48

Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4]

Cosponsor • House • D • MD

Net Impact

40.48

Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]

Cosponsor • House • D • CA

Net Impact

40.48

Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]

Cosponsor • House • D • IL

Net Impact

40.48

Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]

Cosponsor • House • D • NY

Net Impact

40.48

Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13]

Cosponsor • House • D • GA

Net Impact

40.48

Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

Cosponsor • House • D • FL

Net Impact

40.48

Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]

Primary Sponsor • House • D • AL

Net Impact

35.20

Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]

Cosponsor • House • D • LA

Net Impact

31.68

Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

Cosponsor • House • D • GA

Net Impact

31.68

Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]

Cosponsor • House • D • NC

Net Impact

31.68

Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

Cosponsor • House • D • CA

Net Impact

31.68

Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]

Cosponsor • House • D • CA

Net Impact

31.68

Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]

Cosponsor • House • D • MO

Net Impact

24.64

Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

Cosponsor • House • D • NJ

Net Impact

24.64

Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]

Cosponsor • House • D • NM

Net Impact

24.64

Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]

Cosponsor • House • D • NC

Net Impact

22.88

Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7]

Primary Sponsor • House • R • GA

Net Impact

17.60

Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]

Primary Sponsor • Senate • D • MD

Net Impact

16.00

Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5]

Cosponsor • House • D • OR

Net Impact

15.84

Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

Cosponsor • House • D • VA

Net Impact

15.84

Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]

Cosponsor • Senate • D • WI

Net Impact

15.20

Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]

Cosponsor • Senate • D • WA

Net Impact

15.20

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

Cosponsor • House • R • PA

Net Impact

13.44

Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]

Cosponsor • Senate • R • TX

Net Impact

6.40

Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]

Cosponsor • Senate • R • SC

Net Impact

6.40

Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]

Cosponsor • Senate • R • MS

Net Impact

6.40

Sources

H.R. 7341: GRAD Act

Federal • Congress.gov / House Press Release • Feb 4, 2026

H.R. 7660: HBCU Empowerment and Reform Act

Federal • Congress.gov / GovInfo • Feb 24, 2026

Current tracked bill still addresses a meaningful portion of the future bill, but not enough for Direct.

H.R. 3793: Minority Entrepreneurship Grant Program Act of 2025

Federal • Congress.gov / GovInfo • Jun 5, 2025

S. 2068: Minority Business Development Act of 2021

Federal • Congress.gov • Dec 17, 2021

Approved from review bundle alternate replacement.

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