Indiana Senator Jim Banks has introduced new legislation aimed at reshaping how federal higher-education dollars are distributed. 

The Promoting Equal Learning and Liberty Act, or PELL Act, would eliminate the Minority-Serving Institution grant program and redirect that funding into the Pell Grant program for low-income students.

Banks says the bill ensures federal aid supports students rather than, as he says, “racial quotas.”

The proposal is drawing praise from advocacy groups. Defending Education says it expands opportunity “without regard to race,” while Students for Fair Admissions president Edward Blum says the bill ends “unfair and unconstitutional race-based preferences” in federal funding and admissions.