WASHINGTON (AP) — Top administrators from Georgetown University, UC Berkeley, and the City University of New York faced intense questioning from House Republicans on Tuesday over allegations that their institutions have failed to adequately address antisemitism on campus. The hearing marked the latest in a series of congressional examinations of how universities handle discrimination claims following the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Republicans Accuse Schools of Inaction
During the session before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, GOP lawmakers criticized the universities for what they called insufficient responses to antisemitic incidents. Committee Chair Tim Walberg (R-MI) warned that schools allowing antisemitic behavior do so “at their own risk,” citing concerns over faculty hiring, student conduct, and foreign funding influences.
UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons countered that pro-Palestinian speech should not automatically be labeled antisemitic, while CUNY Chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez affirmed that any policy violations by students or staff are investigated.
Democrats Decry “Kangaroo Court” Tactics
Democratic committee members criticized Republicans for focusing on campus antisemitism while supporting budget cuts to the Education Department, which handles civil rights investigations. Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) accused the GOP of staging “public theater” rather than addressing student safety. The hearing was briefly interrupted by protesters shouting pro-Palestinian slogans before Capitol Police removed them.
Faculty Conduct Under Scrutiny
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) pressed Matos Rodríguez about a CUNY law professor who assisted in defending a Palestinian activist the Trump administration tried to deport. While stopping short of calling for termination, Matos Rodríguez reiterated CUNY’s commitment to combating antisemitism.
Georgetown’s interim president, Richard Groves, highlighted the university’s Jesuit mission of interfaith dialogue, noting it has avoided violent protests or encampments since October 2023. He acknowledged ongoing efforts to clarify student conduct policies as tensions persist.
The hearing follows the 2023 resignations of Harvard and University of Pennsylvania presidents after controversial testimonies on campus antisemitism.
