The Congressional Hispanic Conference, the only caucus of Hispanic Republican lawmakers in Congress, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon expressing concern at the Department’s September 10, 2025, announcement terminating discretionary funding for several Minority-Serving Institution grant programs, including Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).

The letter noted specifically the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (Title III, Part E), Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program (Title V, Part A), and Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans Program (Title V, Part B) affected by the funding cuts. The letter stated, “Given the extraordinary value of these programs in strengthening America’s workforce and serving the very communities that have helped sustain our Republican majority, we respectfully urge you to reconsider this decision and ensure continued support for these vital programs.”

The letter also pointed to a number of HACU-member institutions in Texas and Florida as examples of colleges and universities that serve their communities and prepare teachers, entrepreneurs, healthcare workers, STEM professionals, agricultural experts and scientists, and advance research in AI, cybersecurity and manufacturing. The letter stated that, “Clearly, HSIs not only serve Hispanic communities but also help deliver on President Trump’s priorities.”

Read the full letter here.