Press Releases

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued a statement following the Trump-Vance Administration's suspension of the 1890 Scholars Program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA):

“For more than 30 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 1890 National Scholars Program has provided scholarships to students attending historically Blackcolleges and universities (HBCUs) who want to pursue an education and career in agriculture, natural resources, and other related sciences. The Trump Administration’s decision to suspend the 1890 Scholars Program ‘pending further review’ is an outrageous disruption that undermines efforts to make higher education accessible for Black students and correct our nation’s history of  systemic racial discrimination within the land-grant system. 

“President Trump repeatedly promised the American people that he would work to lower the costs of living and create greater access to economic opportunity, including for Black communities. Since January 20th, 2025 this administration has been on a cruel rampage, showing us every day that hard working Americans are not their priority. Instead of working to make our lives better, the Trump administration continues to try to take our country backward. 

“For decades, this program has been vital to the success of the agriculture industry, and CBC has championed this historic and bipartisan program to open doors to talented students from underserved communities. We are urging President Trump to immediately reinstate the 1890 Scholars Program ahead of the March 1, 2025 application deadline.”