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WASHINGTON Democrats have long claimed the bulk of black voters and the issues important to them.

But some Republicans who recognize their party can't survive without expanding their base are seizing on what they think could be a winning cause: historically black colleges and universities.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the Senate's only black Republican, on Tuesday helped facilitate a day-long conference at the Library of Congress with more than 90 presidents of HBCUs from across the country.

With Scott, and U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, R-N.C., as the official co-hosts, the conference pulled together a starring cast of prominent congressional Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C.

Representatives from Boeing, Michelin and Northrop Grumman discussed efforts to recruit from HBCUs. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos delivered a keynote address at lunch.

Simultaneously, President Donald Trump on Tuesday rolled out an executive order to create a new White House initiative on HBCUs, which would establish a new presidential advisory board, among other things.

The HBCU "fly-in" on Capitol Hill was the first event of its kind, even beyond the eight years of the Barack Obama presidency.

"Frankly, the attention we received in the last 45 or so days exceeds not just this past administration, but the past three or four administrations," Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, told reporters. "We are on the front page of the Wall Street Journal today. Black colleges."

There are 107 HBCUs in the United States, eight of which are in South Carolina. They partially rely on the federal government for funding through grants, financial aid and appropriations.

HBCU leaders say they have lost billions of dollars over the past years during Obama's tenure and before that. A major focus on Tuesday was on funding and whether Congress would appropriate the necessary dollars to revitalize resource-starved institutions.

Scott and Walker said the gathering was the first step in forging new relationships and that tangible legislative solutions were still to come. They couldn't promise anything in regard to specific funding levels.

A lack of commitment to properly funding HBCUs has riled some critics who view Republican interest in black education policy warily and as disingenuous and self-serving. Some Democrats have also slammed DeVos and the GOP for being out of touch. They targeted DeVos for a statement calling African-Americans "pioneers in school choice" when black students were being turned away from white schools.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California called it a "mind boggling ignorance of history and the enduring effects of institutional racism."

On Tuesday, Scott acknowledged that DeVos could have been more articulate.

"Is there a better way to word things? Yes," he said. "Clarity in your statements is always important."

He also acknowledged accusations of GOP pandering to HBCU presidents and African-Americans with weary recognition.

"I try to remind some of my friends that being a Republican is tough; being a black Republican is praise-the-lord tough," Scott said.

"(Republicans) have the responsibility and opportunity right now, leading both the House and Senate," Walker added. "We would not want to one day look back and regret the fact that we hadnt done all that we can do."

Missing from the program Tuesday was U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn. The third ranking House Democrat and most senior black lawmaker in Congress has made helping HBCUs one of his legacy issues, particularly his alma mater, South Carolina State University.

Clyburn said he didn't feel threatened that Republicans are starting to stake a claim in traditional Democratic policy territory.

"They're welcome," he said of the GOP.

Emma Dumain is The Post and Courier's Washington correspondent. Reach her at 843-834-0419 and follow her @emma_dumain.

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Sen. Tim Scott helps Republicans lead on HBCUs - Charleston Post Courier