House Education and Workforce Committee Launches Investigation Into Antisemitism at American Psychological Association

Washington, D.C. — Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) has launched a formal congressional investigation into allegations of antisemitism at the American Psychological Association (APA), according to a letter sent to APA President Dr. Debra Kawahara on December 12, 2025.

In the letter, Walberg wrote that the committee is “gravely concerned about antisemitism at the APA,” which represents more than 172,000 researchers, clinicians, professors, and students nationwide. The committee stated it is examining whether legislative changes are needed to address antisemitic discrimination among professional associations and accreditors.

The committee cited reports from Jewish APA members alleging harassment and ostracism at APA events and within professional settings because of their Jewish identity, opposition to antisemitism, or Zionist beliefs. According to the letter, some members reported that complaints submitted to APA leadership went unanswered, raising concerns about the organization’s response to harassment claims.

Walberg’s letter also alleges that the APA offered continuing education credits for conferences where speakers endorsed violence against Jews and Israelis, promoted antisemitic tropes, distorted Holocaust history, minimized Jewish victimization, and characterized Jewish ties to Israel as pathological.

Additionally, the committee raised concerns about APA’s alleged failure to take action against a former APA division president accused of making antisemitic statements, including claims that Zionism is a mental illness and statements praising attackers following the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel. The letter states that antisemitism within that division led some members to resign.

The committee also noted efforts by some APA divisions to revise or repeal the association’s 2007 resolution adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, describing those efforts as minimizing antisemitic experiences of Jewish members.

As part of the investigation, the committee requested that APA produce all documents, communications, complaints, meeting minutes, publications, and programming materials related to antisemitism, Israel, and Jewish identity dating back to October 7, 2023. The requested materials are due to the committee by January 2, 2026.

Chairman Walberg stated that the information gathered will support the committee’s oversight responsibilities and inform potential legislative action within its jurisdiction over education and accreditation matters