The House Education and the Workforce Committee will investigate Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Pennsylvania after their institutions’ leaders failed to sufficiently condemn student protests calling for “Jewish genocide” during a congressional hearing on Tuesday.
 
Committee Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC) criticized the schools for failing to tackle the “rampant antisemitism” on their campuses after the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and the subsequent Israeli invasion of Gaza.  She indicated the inquiry would examine “the learning environments” at Harvard, M.I.T. and Penn, as well as disciplinary procedures. She warned that the panel would “not hesitate” to issue subpoenas.  
 
“After this week’s pathetic and morally bankrupt testimony by university presidents when answering my questions, the Education and Workforce Committee is launching an official Congressional investigation with the full force of subpoena power into Penn, MIT, & Harvard and others,” Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY),  the fourth-ranking House Republican, said in a statement.
 
Presidents of all three institutions have come under significant criticism for the answers they provided to committee members.  Both Harvard and Penn have issues clarifying statements regarding how they view antisemitic speech on campus.
 
Below is a sample of media coverage of the lastest developments:
 
House Education Panel to Investigate Harvard, Penn, MIT
Inside Higher Ed (December 8, 2023)
 
Penn’s Magill Faces Fallout From Antisemitism Hearing
Inside Higher Ed (December 8, 2023)
 
The Review: The Campus Antisemitism Hearing Was Pure Theater. It Was Also a Disaster for Colleges
The Chronicle of Higher Education (December 7, 2023)
 
House Education Committee to Launch Probe into Harvard, MIT and Penn Over Antisemitism
Politico.com (December 7, 2023)
 
Congressional Panel to Investigate Harassment of Jewish Students at Harvard, MIT and Penn
The Wall Street Journal (December 7, 2023)
 
House Committee Launches Investigation of Harvard, MIT and UPenn Over Antisemitism Fight
CNBC.com (December 7, 2023)
 
Universities Face Congressional Inquiry and Angry Donors Over Handling of Antisemitism
The New York Post (December 7, 2023)
 
Congressional Committee Opens Investigation into Penn Following President’s Testimony on Antisemitism
The Philadelphia Inquirer (December 7, 2023)
 
Democrats Slam Harvard, MIT, UPenn Presidents After Stefanik Grilling
Politico.com (December 7, 2023)
 
How Accusations of College Antisemitism Went From Bad to Worse With One House Hearing
The Hill.com (December 7, 2023)

Ivy League Presidents Reckon with Swift Backlash to Remarks on Campus Antisemitism
Associated Press (December 7, 2023)
 
Facing Calls to Resign, Liz McGill Is Still Penn President After Board Discusses Backlash to Her Congressional Testimony
The Philadelphia Inquirer (December 7, 2023)
 
Penn President Responds to Backlash Over Testimony on Antisemitism
The Washington Post (December 7, 2023)
 
Penn Board of Trustees Convenes After School President’s House Comments
The Hill.com (December 7, 2023)
 
Penn President Walks Back Congressional Remarks on Antisemitism After Backlash
The Wall Street Journal (December 7, 2023)

Penn Donor Threatens to Rescind $100 Million Gift Unless President Is Ousted
The Wall Street Journal (December 7, 2023) 

Harvard University Alums Say President Claudine Gay Should Resign After ‘Shocking’ Testimony About Antisemitism on Campus
Boston Herald (December 6, 2023)
 

Harvard Bans ‘Cisheterosexism’ but Shrugs at Antisemitism - Commentary
The Wall Street Journal (December 8, 2023)

Campus Antisemitism, Free Speech and Double Standards - Commentary
The New York Times (December 8, 2023)

Harvard Poison Ivy - Column
Boston Herald (December 8, 2023) 

At a Hearing on Israel, University Presidents Walked Into a Trap - Commentary
The New York Times (December 7, 2023)