Letter comes following allegation student was delayed care due to Israeli heritage 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 and pervasive 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 crack down on antisemitism on college campuses.  KEY EXCERPTS : “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.”  CLICK HERE to read the full letter.  BACKGROUND :  Beginning on April 17, 2024, an encampment sprung up on Columbia University’s campus with hundreds of protestors and tents.  Banners and signs vandalized the campus—including residence halls—with antisemitic sentiments and even support for the terrorist organization Hamas.  Chants and statements by those within the encampment also supported messages of violence and hate towards Jewish students, with a leader of the encampment filmed stating that, “Zionists don’t deserve to live.”  Professors at Columbia University have also openly made antisemitic and pro-Hamas statements—including more than 100 professors signing a letter in support of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas—adding to the harassment of Jewish students.  An English professor held his classes inside the encampment, despite the fact that it was an uncomfortable and unsafe environment for some of the students in the class, who did not attend.  A prominent rabbi at Columbia University warned Jewish students to remain off-campus during the end of the academic year in Spring 2024 due to fears that the university and New York City police could not keep students safe.  Jewish students on campus also expressed concerns over their safety on campus and the mental and psychological toll the hostile environment was taking on their ability to work and learn. Despite over 100 arrests, the protests progressed to the occupation of a campus building and physical attacks of Jewish students, leading campus officials to move some classes online for the remainder of the academic year.  Columbia University also has a medical school, as well as several affiliated medical centers. Antisemitism has no place in an institution where students go to learn how to be the next generation of medical professionals caring for patients of all religions and ethnic backgrounds.  An interview with students at Irving Medical Center, where Columbia University’s medical school is housed, emphasized the extent to which Jewish students felt excluded and unable to openly identify as Jewish or express their Jewish identity on campus.  A nursing student, for example, stated that the sheer number of antisemitic policy violations that are minimized and go unpunished have made the behavior a norm and that the “Columbia nursing [school] is not a place for Jews.”

Washington, D.C. — In a new letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (E&C) and House Committee on Education and the Workforce (E&W) issued a request for documentation related to the Committees’ ongoing investigation into how the department is preventing and responding to antisemitism at grantee institutions. The letter follows up on a May 23, 2024, letter to which HHS failed to respond to adequately and is 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). KEY EXCERPT :  “Responding on your behalf in an August 22, 2024, letter, the HHS Assistant Secretary for Legislation stated that, “The HHS Office for Civil Right (OCR) enforces federal civil rights laws prohibiting various forms of discrimination in HHS-funded programs and activities […]” and that “OCR takes this duty seriously.” Despite this declaration, the lacking response from HHS failed to provide specific information about how HHS OCR or the NIH have taken steps to ensure that institutions and universities receiving funding from HHS are complying with federal civil rights laws amongst these extensively reported acts of antisemitism, and whether HHS OCR or the NIH have received any complaints regarding potential violations of federal law as it pertains to antisemitism.” The Chairs requested the following documents by no later than October 2, 2024: A list of all misconduct allegations at NIH-funded institutions relating to alleged antisemitic incidents from fiscal year 2023 to present received by HHS OCR and/or the NIH, showing:   the date;   which agency received the allegation;   a brief description of the incident;   role of the alleged perpetrator and victim (e.g., student or faculty) with their names redacted;  institution;   entity responsible for reviewing the case (including whether the complaint is an official Title VI case);   case status;   actions taken by the institution; and   actions taken by HHS/NIH.  All documents and communications, including but not limited to, text messages, emails, and electronic messages, to or from HHS OCR/to or from the NIH referring or related to misconduct allegations or concerns over actions at NIH-funded institutions from fiscal year 2023 to present, referring or relating to, alleged antisemitic incidents; targeting of Jews, Israelis, Zionists, or Zionism; university encampments; and/or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  All documents and communication between HHS OCR and other agencies regarding assistance with Title VI compliance, particularly related to antisemitism (shared ancestry).  All documents and communication between HHS OCR and NIH-funded institutions related to Title VI compliance reviews related to antisemitism (shared ancestry).    From fiscal year 2023 to present, all documents, communications, and guidance provided from HHS OCR and the NIH to grantee institutions and individuals at grantee institutions regarding Title VI responsibilities and protections, including those specific to protections for those of Jewish faith and heritage, and all documents or communications regarding HHS/NIH’s stance on antisemitism, the events occurring on university campuses, and/or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict generally.  CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

Washington, D.C. — In a new letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans are pressing for answers regarding Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) awards. The letter to Administrator Regan, signed by Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), and Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Chair Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA), requests an unredacted copy of all GGRF award agreements that have been finalized.  It follows up on an Oversight Subcommittee hearing from earlier this year, where Mr. Zealan Hoover, Senior Advisor to the Administrator, assured Committee Members that the award agreements that EPA entered into with recipients to receive GGRF program awards would address the concerns raised.   LETTER TEXT BELOW:   Dear Administrator Regan,  We write to you as part of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s (the Committee) continued oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). As you know, Committee Members have many questions regarding this first-of-its-kind, $27 billion program, including those discussed at a January 30, 2024, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing on the GGRF, with Mr. Zealan Hoover, Senior Advisor to the Administrator, testifying on behalf of the EPA. In numerous instances, Mr. Hoover assured Members that the award agreements that EPA would enter into with recipients that the EPA selected to receive GGRF program awards would address the concerns they raised.   For example, in response to a question from Committee Chair Rodgers about what conflicts of interest policies would govern funding recipients responsible for further distributing this money, Mr. Hoover responded that “they will be subject to all of the terms and conditions of their financial assistance agreement.” After Representative Guthrie pressed for more information on whether organizations with foreign ties could receive GGRF funding, Mr. Hoover stated that “one of the terms and conditions in each of the award agreements is going to be a prohibition against entering into any form of contractual relationship with a foreign entity of concern.” Mr. Hoover also replied to Representative Lesko, “[e]ach grantee is applying with a rigorous investment plan, proposed project pipeline, and timeline for a wide array of necessary activities covering their investment work, their governance, their organizational structure. All of that will be enshrined in our terms and conditions of the grant agreement.”   Members also submitted follow-up questions for the record after the hearing. Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Griffith requested more detail about performance audits, and the EPA responded, in part, “[w]e expect that the terms and conditions of GGRF grants, as provided in 2 C.F.R. § 200.208, will authorize the project officer to closely monitor recipient performance and compliance with grant requirements.” Additionally, in response to Chair Griffith’s inquiry on how the EPA could evaluate the past performance of applicants that included new organizations or coalitions, the EPA stated that it required applicants to submit risk management plans, and that awardees would have to comply with specific terms and conditions in their award agreements. In response to a question on Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) compliance, the EPA stated that it was “including terms and conditions in the award agreements to reinforce that all grants are subject to [BABA] by statute,” and that “EPA will hold selected applicants accountable to BABA requirements through the terms and conditions of the award agreements.” Finally, the EPA also responded to a question from Representative Crenshaw, saying that “EPA will include a term and condition in all award agreements to protect against federal funds flowing to entities with certain connections to the People’s Republic of China.”  In short, the EPA repeatedly sought to reassure the Committee that its award agreements with selected recipients would address the issues of concern and potential risks. The Committee seeks additional detail on how these award agreements will address the issues of concern and potential risks.    As such, please provide a complete and unredacted copy of the award agreement, including all of the attachments, appendices, and any amendments, that the EPA executes with each funding recipient under the GGRF. By no later than August 29, 2024, please provide a copy of all award agreements that have been finalized as of the date of this letter, and please provide a copy of all remaining agreements as soon as they are finalized.