A bill 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.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4496 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4496 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. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 12, 2026 Ms. Alsobrooks (for herself and Mr. Justice) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL 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. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. FINDINGS. Congress finds the following: (1) According to a 2021 study by Americans for the Arts, the arts are an invaluable aspect of American society, as they strengthen the economy, improve healthcare, spark creativity and innovation, and unify communities, with 73 percent of participants agreeing that the arts help them to better understand other cultures. (2) Many United States museums are grappling with diversity. Studies report that only 1.4 percent of artists featured in America's top museums are black, only 4 percent of staff directors at top museums are Black, and only 2.5 percent of Black Americans are owners of Arts-Entertainment business. (3) Historically Black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, are uniquely positioned to produce a diverse generation of art professionals and help bring much needed attention to works by Black artists. HBCUs have historically served as long-standing conservators and crucial supporters of Black art and for the teaching, supporting, and di