House education subcommittee hears testimony on rise of antisemitism in K–12 schools; subpoena motion for White House aide tabled

The Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education convened to examine a reported rise in antisemitism in K–12 public schools and heard testimony from civil-society experts who cited teacher training programs, teachers unions and outside organizations as contributing factors. Ranking Member Bonamici moved to subpoena White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller; the committee voted 9-5 to table that motion.

Committee chair Kiley opened the hearing by saying the panel “has been instrumental in investigating the horrifying rise in antisemitism at universities” and that the hearing would turn attention to K–12 schools. He said witnesses would discuss “underlying causes” and the committee would use oversight tools to respond.

Why it matters: Witnesses and members said antisemitic harassment in schools can interfere with students’ ability to learn and that local, state and federal responses vary. Several witnesses recommended restoring investigative capacity at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights and increasing transparency about curricular materials and outside partners in school districts.

Witness testimony and committee discussion

Nicole Neely, president and founder of Defending Education, told the panel: “Discrimination and harassment based on national origin or shared ancestry is never acceptable, but when directed at minor children who are unable to defend themselves, it is particularly vile.” Neely and other witnesses said factors driving K–12 antisemitism include teacher-training programs that frame instruction through an “oppressor/oppressed” lens, activist caucuses within unions, and outside groups that provide curricular materials or workshops.

Brandy Shufatinski of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said the problem “is part of an upsurge that has been many years in coming,” and pointed to foreign funding, university-sponsored programs and outside organizations such as the Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC) as vectors that have partnered with some districts.

Rabbi Jill Jacobs, CEO of Teruah, the rabbinic call for human rights, said: “Antisemitism in schools is serious. We have a responsibility to ensure that Jewish students and all students are safe,” but she also criticized what she described as the current federal approach, arguing that it prioritizes punitive actions and political aims over education and prevention.

Rachel Lerman of the Louis D. Brandeis Center said Jewish students are being “harassed, excluded, and silenced just for being Jewish,” and urged enforcement of civil-rights protections in K–12 settings.

Republican members emphasized union resolutions and some district curricula as causes. Several Republican members cited the National Education Association’s representative assembly and local union actions as evidence that unions have disseminated or tolerated anti‑Israel and, they said, antisemitic materials. Democratic members and some witnesses pushed back that the vast majority of teachers are committed professionals and warned against politicizing complaints or using allegations to dismantle public-education institutions.

Formal action: subpoena motion and committee vote

Ranking Member Bonamici moved that the subcommittee subpoena White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller “to come before this committee as a witness no later than 30 days from the date of adoption of this motion.” That motion was discussed during the hearing and later put to a vote in the form of a motion to table.

On the roll call the clerk reported, 9 members voted to table the motion and 5 opposed; the clerk recorded “9 yeas and 5 nays,” and the chair announced the motion to table was agreed to. Members recorded as voting aye (to table): Kiley; Thompson; Owens; Miller; Ruley; Moylan; McKenzie; Harris; Mezmer. Members recorded as voting no (opposed to tabling): Bonamici; Hayes; Manion; Wilson; Adams.

Other outcomes and committee direction

No other formal actions or resolutions were adopted during the hearing. Several members on both sides urged the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights to be fully funded and staffed so it can investigate complaints; witnesses recommended greater transparency about outside curricular partners and foreign funding sources and suggested that districts maintain clearer review practices for professional-development credits and curricular vendors.

Ending

The subcommittee adjourned after the roll call. Members on different sides of the aisle signaled interest in continued oversight: some pledged further investigation into district curricula and outside partners, while others emphasized restoring administrative resources and prevention programs to protect students.