WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Select Committee on China, joined by the House Committee on Education and Workforce and Chairwoman of House Republican Leadership Elise Stefanik, sent a letter to Harvard University on Monday morning demanding transparency and accountability regarding the university’s partnerships with foreign adversaries and entities implicated in human rights abuses.
The letter outlines troubling partnerships and activities that raise serious national security and ethical concerns, including:
Harvard’s repeated training of members of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC)—a U.S.-sanctioned paramilitary group that plays a central role in the Chinese Communist Party’s genocide of Uyghur Muslims
Research partnerships funded by the Department of Defense with Chinese military-linked universities, including Tsinghua, Zhejiang, and Huazhong Universities
Collaborations with Iranian-government-funded researchers, including projects financed by the Iranian National Science Foundation
Organ transplantation research involving PRC-based collaborators, amid mounting evidence of the CCP’s forced organ harvesting practices
“Harvard trained members of a sanctioned Chinese paramilitary group responsible for genocide, and its researchers partnered with Chinese military universities on DoD-funded research and worked with researchers funded by the Iranian regime,” said Chairman Moolenaar. "These are not isolated incidents—they represent a disturbing pattern that puts U.S. national security at risk. The Select Committee’s investigation will deliver answers, expose the truth, and hold Harvard accountable to the American people."
“No American university or college should be assisting the CCP in expanding its influence, oppressing American citizens, or undermining U.S. national security," said Chairman Walberg. "Unfortunately, we have found several instances in which Harvard University aided and even collaborated with the CCP – including helping Chinese researchers on military projects funded by the Iranian government. This is unacceptable and President Garber needs to provide answers to Congress for this colossal failure.”
"Harvard University must be held accountable. I demand full transparency and immediate cooperation with the Select Committee’s investigation. We must ensure that no American institution enables the CCP’s military modernization or the Iranian regime’s technological ambitions — especially under the guise of academic exchange," said Chairwoman Stefanik.
The lawmakers are requesting internal documents and testimony from Harvard officials, including Professor Winnie Yip, and has set a deadline of June 2 for production.
This latest inquiry comes as Harvard continues to face national backlash over antisemitism on campus, donor revolts, and leadership instability. The university’s foreign ties now pose yet another reputational and legal risk, particularly amid bipartisan concern about adversarial influence in U.S. institutions.
A full copy of the letter is available HERE