Trump: Support for historically black colleges 'unchanged' despite signing statement
Source: Politico
By MICHAEL STRATFORD 05/07/17 11:12 PM EDT
President Donald Trump on Sunday night defended his “unwavering support” for historically black colleges two days after his statement questioning the constitutionality of a federal financing program for them provoked a backlash of criticism.
The statement, which raised questions about whether Trump would implement the 25-year-old program, puzzled advocates of historically black colleges. Reps. John Conyers (D-Mich.), ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee, and Cedric Richmond (D-La.), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, called the statement "stunningly careless and divisive."
Such statements are often used to flag provisions an administration might disregard. But on Sunday, in a second statement, Trump said the signing statement “sets forth my intention to spend the funds it appropriates, including the funds for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), consistently with my responsibilities under the Constitution. It does not affect my unwavering support for HBCUs and their critical educational missions.”
Trump touted an executive order on historically black colleges and universities that he signed in February. He also said that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ planned commencement address at Bethune-Cookman University, an historically black institution in Florida, demonstrated his administration’s “dedication to these great institutions of higher learning.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/07/trump-historic-black-colleges-238096
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