More than 50 universities are being investigated for alleged racial discrimination as part of President Donald Trump’s campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs his officials say exclude white and Asian American students.

Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement.

The department said Friday it had opened an investigation into UW-Madison and 44 other universities nationwide over alleged racial discrimination. The notifications came exactly a month after the department issued sweeping guidance threatening to pull funding from colleges that do not eliminate all considerations of race from policies and programs.

Live updates and the latest news as the Senate votes to avoid a government shutdown and Mehmet Oz faces his Senate confirmation hearing.

President Trump praised Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for saying he would back the GOP spending bill to avert a government shutdown.