U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has announced the witnesses for an upcoming hearing on higher education issues. The hearing will feature testimonies from Dr. Michael Lindsay of Taylor University and Dr. Mark A. Brown of Tuskegee University.
Cassidy extended an invitation to Harvard University President Alan Garber, who declined to participate in the hearing. "Rarely are HBCUs or religiously oriented universities mentioned in conversations about how to improve America’s higher education system," said Cassidy. He expressed his anticipation to hear from representatives of Taylor University and Tuskegee University.
Cassidy also addressed Harvard's absence: "I invited Harvard to testify. It is my firm belief that every person and institution should have the right to make their case." He acknowledged Harvard's contributions through medical research funded by NIH but noted concerns about antisemitism on its campus.
The list of witnesses includes Dr. Andrew Gillen from the CATO Institute, Mr. Mike Pierce from the Student Borrower Protection Center, and Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart from Austin Community College District.
The hearing titled "The State of Higher Education" is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 10:00 AM ET at the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
