House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) addressed the leaders of Cornell University, Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of Pennsylvania regarding antisemitism on their campuses. He implied that these institutions could risk losing their tax-exempt statuses.
In his communication, he requested that the universities furnish information and documents outlining their initiatives to combat antisemitism. This request marks the second instance of such documentation being sought from these four institutions, following a similar request from the Education and Workforce Committee. Smith’s letter specifically highlights the tax-exempt status enjoyed by these universities, which falls within his committee’s jurisdiction.
This new inquiry arises amidst growing calls for Congress to review or potentially revoke the tax-exempt status of educational institutions that are perceived as not taking sufficient action against antisemitism on their premises.
The letters sent by Smith’s committee underscore the need for these universities to significantly alter their course and address longstanding issues that have been overlooked for years. The justification for the tax-exempt status granted by the American people to these institutions over decades hinges on their proactive measures in combating antisemitism.
Furthermore, the letters draw attention to the recent surge in campus antisemitism, attributing it to an underlying culture of antisemitism that has been evolving for decades rather than being a sudden development in response to recent events such as the Hamas attacks.
Smith emphasized the necessity for substantial institutional reforms in response to the situation, stating that both the committee and the American public anticipate concrete actions from the universities.
Specifically, the letters request detailed information on actions taken against students involved in antisemitic behaviors, evaluations and responses from university leadership regarding the rise of antisemitism on campus, statements or drafts of statements addressing antisemitism, harassment, and incitement to violence, as well as details on any foreign funding received by the institutions.
A deadline of April 4 has been set for the submission of these responses.
Each letter also delves into particular incidents and concerns regarding anti-Israel groups on the respective campuses, such as at Harvard University, where issues surrounding the appointment of Derek Penslar to a leadership position and the subsequent resignations of task force members are highlighted.