The House of Representatives has issued a warning to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that universities receiving federal funding are free of "antisemitic behavior."

The House is taking steps to ensure that universities receiving federal funds comply with civil rights laws as part of a broader effort to combat antisemitism on college campuses.

On Wednesday, the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Education and Workforce sent a joint letter to Secretary Xavier Becerra of the Department of Health and Human Services inquiring about any complaints of "unacceptable antisemitic behavior" from institutions receiving federal grants.

Universities receiving federal funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) must adhere to the NIH Grants Policy Statement, which prohibits discriminatory harassment.

The letter, obtained first by Planet Chronicle Digital, states that the concerns raised in it are a result of the unacceptable antisemitic behavior observed on college campuses, including encampments, calls for violence, and severe disruptions to the learning and research environments.

The letter states that the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) offers guidance on what is and is not permitted on campus, as well as how individuals can be safeguarded by federal civil rights laws. However, the letter calls for additional action to be taken.

"The lawmakers expressed their concern that HHS OCR's guidance does not demonstrate active steps to ensure compliance with federal civil rights laws, particularly regarding antisemitism. This is particularly concerning when universities that receive millions of dollars in funding from HHS, such as Columbia University and UCLA, are under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education OCR for possible violations of Title VI."

By October 2, 2024, HHS must provide the lawmakers with a list of all misconduct allegations and communication documents related to alleged antisemitic incidents at NIH-funded institutions from fiscal year 2023 to the present.

"Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., stated that HHS-funded medical institutions, including Columbia, are not adhering to the Hippocratic Oath's standard of doing no harm and treating all patients with respect. She emphasized that the goal of their committees is to ensure that no patient, professional, or student is subject to discrimination, particularly on the taxpayer's dime."

The HHS has received the letter and will respond directly to the committee. The Department and its operating divisions are dedicated to preventing harassment and discrimination, including the increase of antisemitism in the US.

Columbia University received a letter from committees, obtained by Fox, regarding whether the university is maintaining a safe environment for all members as a recipient of HHS grants.

In fiscal year 2024, Columbia University reportedly received $611,173,605 in NIH grants, according to HHS' public page on NIH funding.

An investigation into the Ivy League university is ongoing, and a letter to interim President Katrina Armstrong is part of it, following the anti-Israel protests that occurred on the campus during the spring semester.

The lawmakers requested that Columbia disclose any complaints of a "hostile environment based on antisemitic discrimination, harassment, or safety concerns" received by the university, along with how they were resolved.

Columbia University did not respond to a Planet Chronicle Digital request for comment.

"Jewish Federations of North America's VP of community relations, Evan Bernstein, stated in a Planet Chronicle Digital interview that he has observed health organizations, practices, schools, and associations taking extreme political positions that exclude Jews and ostracize Jewish members of the community. Bernstein emphasized that these actions have no practical impact and that he has received numerous concerns from Federation communities across America. As a result, he decided to visit Washington to raise awareness about the issue."