Given the seismic shift in the political landscape after the Presidential election, this special edition newsletter focuses on the Presidential and Congressional elections and the implications of  a Trump administration for federal education policy and UNCF's public policy  work.
OVERVIEW
On Nov. 8, Donald Trump caused a political earthquake in the presidential election, defeating Hillary Clinton with at least 290 to 232 electoral votes, pending the outcome in Michigan.  UNCF issued a  press statement on President-elect Trump's election, expressing our hope that he will make African American educational equity and opportunity a priority.
  
As a result of Trump's coattail effect, Republicans did not lose as many congressional seats as expected and will hold majorities in both the House and Senate.  For the first time since 1928, the Republican Party will control the House, the Senate, the White House, most governorships and state legislatures, and will pick a new justice for the Supreme Court.  Thus, we will have new leaders, proposals and challenges that may require us to adjust strategies during the transition period and the new administration in 2017.  Recently, the Trump transition team released a "New Deal for Black America" that proposes to change the condition of black communities by promoting school choice, reduction of crime, business tax cuts, financial reforms, stopping "trade deficits," ending illegal immigration, new infrastructure investment, protections for "the African American church" and an "America First" foreign policy.
  
UNCF plans to engage the Trump transition team this year on our public policy priorities. We will continue to make the case for federal investment in college readiness, access and completion for low-income, African American students which helps all of us and contributes to our country's success.
 
TRUMP EDUCATION PRIORITIES

The first 100 days of the new Trump administration will be dominated by a focus on border security, jobs, the economy and health care reform, rather than education.   Our first detailed look at President-elect Trump's education priorities will likely come when he releases his FY18 budget proposals in the spring.  We expect to see proposals to scale back funding, programs, staffing, regulations and civil rights enforcement at the U.S. Department of Education, and to transfer more power over education to states and school districts.  Another casualty will be the free college tuition proposal advanced by President Obama.  Unfortunately, this means that the UNCF-backed America's College Promise Act, with its Pathways to Student Success for HBCUs and MSIs, is now dead in the water.
 
K-12
During the campaign, President-elect Trump indicated that promotion of K-12 school choice policies will be front and center.  He has proposed that $20 billion in the federal budget be reallocated to school choice block grants, with incentives for states to serve low-income students through private and public school vouchers, magnet schools and charter schools. Common Core K-12 academic standards are a target for elimination, even though they are in use in 36 states.  We have common ground on the expansion of charter schools, but oppose undermining Common Core and other rigorous academic standards for African American children.

Higher Education
During the campaign, President-elect Trump focused on rising college costs and student debt.  His policy proposals to expand income-based student loan repayment and reduce regulatory burden for colleges and universities may be areas where the incoming administration and UNCF find common ground .  The Trump transition team has indicated that President-elect Trump will ensure funding for HBCUs, but we have seen no specific proposals.

TRUMP EDUCATION APPOINTMENTS

The person President-elect Trump selects to be the U.S. Secretary of Education will heavily influence the specifics of federal education legislation, policy and funding proposals.  There are three key names that frequently appear among the short list:   Bill Evers, co-chair of the Trump education transition team and a senior scholar at the conservative Hoover Institute; Luke Messer (R-IN), Congressman from Indiana who favors school choice; and Gerard Robinson , co-chair of the Trump education transition team, former state school chief in Florida and Virginia, senior scholar at the conservative American Enterprise Institute, and a Howard University graduate. Several current and former governors, and school choice advocates, are also under consideration.
CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS

Most incumbent members of Congress won reelection.  Senate Republicans will hold a 51 to 48 majority under Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY); while the House Republicans may have at least a 239 to 192 majority under Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) - depending on the outcome of several still-undecided elections.  Notably, California Attorney General Kamala Harris (D-CA) won the election to replace Senator Barbara Boxer and will become only the 2nd African American female senator in history; she is a graduate of Howard University.  The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) could gain seven new members - a net gain of four, bringing the total potential membership to 49.  

CONGRESSIONAL EDUCATION COMMITTEES
President-elect Trump's lack of policy experience will mean increased influence for the congressional education committees in shaping policy, led by Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) - the probable incoming chair of the House Education Committee.  Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, which expired in 2014, will be the top priority for legislators on the Senate and House education committees.  UNCF has good relationships with both legislators, who have HBCUs in their states.  We anticipate a continued focus on curbing college costs, streamlining the federal student aid process and programs, reducing regulatory burden, increasing college accountability and accreditation reform.   
CONGRESSIONAL LAME DUCK SESSION
On Nov. 14, Congress returned for a "lame duck" session.  Leadership elections occupied legislators' attention.  It is expected that final approval of the FY17 federal budget - which includes potential increases of $24 million for HBCUs for science, graduate education and historic preservation programs - will be postponed until after President-elect Trump takes office in January.
 
If you would like additional information, please contact UNCF Government Affairs .
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