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A THREAD: As a response to charges of racism, supporters of President Trump offer several defenses. Examples include “funded HBCUs” “giving 250 million to HBCUs” “permanently funded HBCUs” and “record HBCU funding” to name a few. 1/
Those lines of defense are even more visible in light of Mary Trump’s allegation, Roger Stone’s “Negro,” Trump himself questioning 1619, saying the Confederate flag is about the South (never mind what it means to Black Southerners), and his shade at Rev. Al. 2/
But what’s the truth? This thread will give you a better understanding of how HBCUs have been funded in the Trump era. Summary: some good things have happened, but the most often cited defenses are not supported by facts. 3/ https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/01/23/trumps-claim-about-saving-hbcus-was-false-his-administration-has-largely-backed
The Budget control act of 2011, signed by President Obama on 8/2/11, created budget caps for 10 years, reducing $1T from defense. The John Boehner House refused to increase debt ceiling. 4/ https://www.businessinsider.com/budget-control-act-2016-8#why-was-the-budget-control-act-enacted-2
When budget deals were not reached sequestration went into effect which cut across the board. 5/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2012/09/14/the-sequester-explained/
In February of 2018 Congress passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. One of the driving forces was President Trump’s desire to greatly increase military spending. That is what he campaigned on actively; HBCUs were never a key part of his campaign. 6/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/spending-deal-in-jeopardy-as-pelosi-issues-last-minute-demand-on-immigration/2018/02/07/a07e4e68-0c1b-11e8-8890-372e2047c935_story.html
Democrats used it as an opportunity for increased domestic spending. The Act increased discretionary spending by 21% over the cap. This act made it possible for the Katrina loans of 4 HBCUs including Dillard to be forgiven (a BIG WIN for us). 7/
https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/secretary-devos-issues-full-forgiveness-hbcu-hurricane-relief-loans
https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/secretary-devos-issues-full-forgiveness-hbcu-hurricane-relief-loans
This level of spending caused a lot of consternation among some Republicans & conservative groups. The most powerful condemnation came from Senator Rand Paul. I was told early on that HBCUs do better financially with Republicans; Paul explains: WATCH 8/ https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2018/02/08/rand_paul_on_spending_when_republicans_are_in_power_there_is_no_conservative_party.html
The Conservative Heritage Foundation also blasted the budget deal, calling it irresponsible, wasteful, and unaffordable. They noted that the Congressional Budget Office calculated it would increase deficits by over $340 billion over the next decade. 9/ https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/report/the-bipartisan-budget-act-2018-irresponsible-wasteful-and-unaffordable
Prior to the budget deal, in 2017 President Trump released his first budget proposal (FY18). His original request essentially mirrored the budget for 4 of the main federally funded HBCU programs (Title III B & F, HBCU grad & masters programs). 10/
On 2/22/18, 14 Senators, led by Kamala Harris and Doug Jones, wrote to the chair & ranking member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee to “ask for an additional investment for HBCU priorities in the final FY 2018 appropriations bill.” 11/
https://cdn.uncf.org/wp-content/uploads/PDFs/022218_HBCU_LaborHHS_Letter.pdf?_ga=2.37903011.1239590456.1595123221-2119381811.1502164493
https://cdn.uncf.org/wp-content/uploads/PDFs/022218_HBCU_LaborHHS_Letter.pdf?_ga=2.37903011.1239590456.1595123221-2119381811.1502164493
Advocacy groups like UNCF had specific funding requests, including moving the largest program, Title IIIB, from $245M to $375M. They also asked for $85M for the Title IIIF program which had been cut due to sequestration & scheduled to expire in 2019. 12/
https://cdn.uncf.org/wp-content/uploads/PDFs/HBCU_Top_Investments_Summary_9.12.17.pdf?_ga=2.252926217.1239590456.1595123221-2119381811.1502164493
https://cdn.uncf.org/wp-content/uploads/PDFs/HBCU_Top_Investments_Summary_9.12.17.pdf?_ga=2.252926217.1239590456.1595123221-2119381811.1502164493
The result? A 14.27% increase for three of the programs, and a marginal increase for Title IIIF (on the right on the chart) 13/
For FY19, the President’s initial budget sought to DECREASE funding for the major HBCU programs, back to FY17 funding levels. HE PROPOSED TO CUT HBCU FUNDING! By then the Democrats controlled the House. Instead the main programs saw about a 1% increase in funding for FY19. 14/
For the FY20 budget, the President’s initially level set 3 of the main programs, and zeroed out the program that was the 10 year funding President Obama signed for $85 million annually. Trump proposed ending the program which is now permanent. 15/ https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2010/09/13/president-obama-historically-black-colleges-and-universities-you-ve-got-a-partner-me
After expiring, led by Rep. Alma Adams, Congress passed a new 10 year program- the FUTURE Act. Just like the Obama program, it is for $85 million annually for HBCUs. The improvement is that it is now a permanent program. 16/ https://uncf.org/news/a-once-in-a-generation-outcome-the-future-act-signed-by-president-becomes-law
However, this has been spun as the work of the President when he originally allowed the program to end. In fact, the media helped with this narrative with titles suggesting that he restored funding without indicating he proposed that it die. 17/ https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2019-12-19/trump-signs-bill-restoring-funding-for-black-colleges
For the other 3 programs, the President’s FY20 budget was mirrored by the Republican controlled Senate. But the new Democratic House proposed big increases. The result? Each of those programs received a 15% increase, which created record levels of funding for HBCUs. 18/
President Trump has always been clear about what he is for. In 2016 he campaigned HEAVILY on military funding. We knew this was his number 1 priority, along with building the wall. 19/ https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/trump-calls-increased-defense-spending-more-military-might-n644056
He immediately proved it. Unlike his funding proposal for HBCUs in his first budget in FY 2018 which essentially level funded the main programs, his first Department of Defense Budget was for $639 BILLION, an increase of $47 BILLION, or 8% increase. 20/ https://csbaonline.org/reports/overview-of-the-fy-2018-defense-budget-request
HBCUs were only mentioned in ONE campaign speech in 2016 (in Charlotte NC) by then-candidate Trump. While Clinton and Sanders had $25 billion plus plans, Trump’s team didn’t make any serious HBCU overtures until after the election. 21/ https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article121988224.html
President Trump released his FY21 budget. Once again, the proposed budget for the 4 main HBCU programs was level funded. If you add up proposed funding in all 4 of his budgets, collectively he proposed LESS money than the previous year, & all increases were due to Congress. 22/
In short, by modifying the 2011 Bipartisan Budget agreement, more money overall has been appropriated (by a LOT). So HBCUs SHOULD get more money too. But those increases are not comparable to the overall funding increase. 23/
Trump wrote “People want to believe something is the biggest and the greatest and the most spectacular. I call it truthful hyperbole... a very effective form of promotion." HBCUs have been used as a prop for promotion, as well as a cover for racism. 23/23 https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2019-10-18/the-art-of-hyperbole-trumps-got-it-down-pat
