Congress Scrutinizes ARPA-H Over Antisemitism Claims and Rights Compliance

Congress investigates a $4 billion health research agency for potential civil rights violations related to antisemitism.

At a Glance

Two congressional committees are investigating ARPA-H for possible antisemitism-related civil rights violations.
ARPA-H has received $4 billion in funding since 2022, with $600 million allocated to research projects.
11 of 14 ARPA-H-funded university projects are under investigation for antisemitic behavior.
Congress seeks answers by October 16 on ARPA-H’s efforts to ensure civil rights compliance.

Congressional Probe into ARPA-H’s Compliance with Civil Rights Laws

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), a federally funded health research agency, is under congressional scrutiny for potential civil rights violations related to antisemitism. Two House committees, the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Education and the Workforce, are spearheading this investigation to ensure ARPA-H’s adherence to civil rights laws.

Since its establishment in 2022, ARPA-H has received $4 billion in funding, with nearly $600 million allocated to research projects. Over $500 million of this funding has been directed to universities and research institutions. However, concerns have arisen as 11 out of 14 university-based projects funded by ARPA-H are currently under investigation for potential Title VI violations or facing lawsuits for antisemitic behavior on their campuses.

Specific Concerns and Investigations

The investigation comes in the wake of escalating antisemitism concerns on college campuses. Notable institutions such as Columbia University, the University of California, San Francisco, and Harvard Medical School have received significant funding from ARPA-H in 2024. Concurrently, many of these institutions are facing legal scrutiny over their handling of antisemitism cases.

A particularly alarming case emerged from a previous investigation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where 135 complaints of anti-Jewish discrimination were reported. This incident has further fueled concerns about the prevalence of antisemitism in federally funded academic institutions.

Congressional Demands and Expectations

In response to these concerns, Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Virginia Foxx, along with subcommittee chairmen Brett Guthrie, Burgess Owens, and Morgan Griffith, have sent a joint letter to Dr. Renee Wegrzyn, director of ARPA-H. The letter seeks detailed information on the agency’s efforts to maintain a harassment-free research environment and ensure compliance with civil rights laws.

The congressional committees have set an October 16 deadline for ARPA-H to provide answers to several critical questions. These include detailing the steps taken to ensure compliance with civil rights laws, outlining enforcement mechanisms for violations, describing practices for reporting complaints, and disclosing the number of antisemitic discrimination complaints received.

Broader Implications and Accountability

This investigation highlights the broader implications of federal financial support to academia, especially in light of recent antisemitism controversies at several universities. The committees are also inquiring about how ARPA-H collaborates with overseeing agencies to combat antisemitism and discrimination on college campuses.

As ARPA-H continues its mission to advance health research, this congressional probe underscores the importance of maintaining civil rights compliance and fostering an inclusive research environment. The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching consequences for how federal agencies oversee and allocate funding to academic institutions in the future.