Growing Reputable Academic Departments Act

Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 15, 2023

Growing Reputable Academic Departments Act or the GRAD Act

This bill expands eligibility for the Masters Degree Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the Masters Degree Programs at Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). These programs provide grants to select HBCUs and PBIs to improve graduate opportunities for Black Americans in certain subject areas (e.g., mathematics, physical or natural sciences, and information technology).

First, the bill expands eligibility for the Masters Degrees at HBCUs program. Currently, only 18 institutions are eligible for the program. This bill expands eligibility to any HBCU that offers a qualified masters degree program.

Second, the bill expands eligibility for the Masters Degrees at PBIs program. Currently, only five institutions are eligible for this program. This bill expands eligibility to any PBI that offers a qualified masters degree program.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4] · D–VA

Committees

Education and Workforce Committee

16 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jun 15, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Jun 15, 2023
Introduced in House
Jun 15, 2023
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jun 15, 2023 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jul 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4176 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.4176, 118th Congress: Growing Reputable Academic Departments Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4176

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2023-06-15.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr4176/BILLS-118hr4176ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-07-21T19:44:15Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4176 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4176 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4176, 118th Congress: Growing Reputable Academic Departments Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4176

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2023-06-15.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr4176/BILLS-118hr4176ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-07-21T19:44:15Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4176 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4176 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4176, 118th Congress: Growing Reputable Academic Departments Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4176

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2023-06-15.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr4176/BILLS-118hr4176ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-07-21T19:44:15Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4176 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4176 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4176, 118th Congress: Growing Reputable Academic Departments Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4176

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2023-06-15.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/118/bills/hr4176/BILLS-118hr4176ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-07-21T19:44:15Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4176 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.