NE Washington News

On May 23, 2024, House Energy and Commerce Committee (E&C) Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), E&C Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and E&C Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), along with House Education and the Workforce Committee (E&W) Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and E&W Subcommittee on Higher Education & Workforce Development Chair Burgess Owens (R-UT), addressed a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra. The letter expressed concerns regarding how HHS ensures that research universities prevent harassment and discrimination, particularly against individuals of Jewish faith and heritage.

The Chairs highlighted that institutions violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 could face the loss of federal funding. This inquiry is part of Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) broader initiative to address rising antisemitism on college campuses.

In their letter, the Chairs stated: “We are troubled by the fact that colleges and universities that are recipients of massive amounts of Federal research grants from NIH are actively fostering antisemitism on campus and failing to protect Jewish students, faculty, and support staff. Failing to comply with basic safety protections for members of their communities, no matter the cause, may be grounds for disqualification of universities and colleges from receiving Federal funds. Congress has an obligation to ensure compliance with Title VI. If Congress determines an institution of higher education is in violation, we may consider rescinding research and development funds previously appropriated.”

Since April 2024, several prominent universities have witnessed antisemitic protests resulting in unsafe environments for students, faculty, and staff. These incidents have occurred at Columbia University, the University of Southern California (USC), the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), George Washington University (GWU), Harvard University, and Yale University.

At Columbia University, protests began on April 17, 2024, involving hundreds of protestors who vandalized campus property with banners containing antisemitic messages. Despite over 100 arrests by police, the situation escalated to building occupations and physical attacks on Jewish students.

Jewish students at Columbia were advised by a prominent rabbi to stay off-campus due to safety concerns. Columbia received more than $682 million in NIH grants in fiscal year 2023.

USC faced similar challenges with anti-Israel protests leading to the cancellation of its graduation ceremony for safety reasons. A protestor was charged with assault with a deadly weapon during these events. USC received over $358 million in NIH funding in fiscal year 2023.

At UCLA, which received more than $580 million in NIH grants in fiscal year 2023, protesters blocked access to parts of the campus for Jewish students attending classes. According to a phone call with UCLA police, university directives were not to interfere with protestors.

Encampments also spread beyond GWU’s campus onto public streets without action being taken for weeks. GWU received more than $73 million in NIH grants in fiscal year 2023.

Both Yale University ($621 million in NIH grants) and Harvard University ($400 million in NIH grants) experienced similar issues before protests erupted there as well.

Several lawsuits have been filed against these universities alleging civil rights violations and failure to provide safe environments. The U.S. Department of Education has opened investigations into several institutions for potential civil rights violations under Title VI.

Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin if it limits or denies a student’s ability to participate or benefit from educational programs. Institutions must take prompt steps to end harassment and eliminate hostile environments or risk losing federal funding according to NIH's Grant Policy Statement.

The full letter can be accessed through provided contact information.