Cathy McMorris Rodgers - Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee | Official U.S. House headshot
Cathy McMorris Rodgers - Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee | Official U.S. House headshot
Washington, D.C. — In a new letter to Columbia University Interim President Katrina Armstrong, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (E&C) and House Committee on Education and the Workforce (E&W) are demanding answers regarding ongoing acts of antisemitic harassment and intimidation at the university and its associated medical school and centers.
The letter, signed by E&C Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), E&C Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), E&C Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), E&W Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC), and E&W Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development Chair Burgess Owens (R-UT), requests that Columbia University respond to the Committees’ questions by no later than October 2, 2024.
It is part of Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) House-wide effort to address antisemitism on college campuses.
"A report from the Columbia University Antisemitism Task Force highlighted how the hostility on Columbia University campuses had spilled over into the medical center and medical services as well. For example, an Israeli student reported that when she went to health services in July 2024, no one came into the room to see her, and she overheard a discussion between two health care professionals in another room in which one said they would not treat her because she was Israeli. She sat in the room for another ten minutes until someone finally came to address her health needs."
"Failing to comply with basic safety protections for members of the Columbia University community and to respond appropriately to and prevent harassment and discrimination, no matter the cause, may be grounds to withhold federal funds from the university and its associated medical centers. Congress has an obligation to ensure compliance with Title VI. If Congress determines an institution of higher education is in violation, it may consider rescinding research and development funds previously appropriated. Similarly, if Congress determines a medical facility is in violation, it may consider rescinding the right to participate in federal health care programs."
Beginning on April 17, 2024, an encampment sprung up on Columbia University’s campus with hundreds of protestors. Banners vandalized residence halls with antisemitic sentiments supporting Hamas. Chants within the encampment supported messages of violence towards Jewish students; a leader was filmed stating that "Zionists don’t deserve to live." Professors have also made antisemitic statements—including more than 100 professors signing a letter supporting Hamas's October 7, 2023 terrorist attack—adding pressure on Jewish students.
An English professor held classes inside this encampment despite concerns about safety from some students who did not attend. A prominent rabbi warned Jewish students to stay off-campus during Spring 2024 due to fears for their safety. Despite over 100 arrests related to these protests which led campus officials moving some classes online for remainder of academic year.
Jewish students at Irving Medical Center expressed feeling excluded unable openly identify as Jewish or express their identity freely due pervasive antisemitism unpunished policy violations making behavior norm according nursing student who stated "Columbia nursing [school] is not place Jews."
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