Chip Roy Urges HHS to Expand Probe Into Islamic Groups' Federal Grant

Representative Chip Roy (R) is asking Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to expand an existing investigation into the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and examine several other organizations over alleged misuse of federal grants and potential ties to terrorist groups.

In a letter sent October 13, Rep. Roy cited research alleging that nearly $80 million in HHS-originated grants went to organizations he characterized as extremist, including funding for Afghan resettlement services and approximately $14 million for foreign organizations. Roy argued that the department should determine whether the groups meet federal standards for suspension or debarment.

The letter follows an earlier request from Roy in April asking HHS to investigate CAIR's grant compliance and alleged connections to terrorist organizations. In June, ties and its use of taxpayer-funded grants were raised. The latest request seeks to broaden that scrutiny to additional recipients.

Roy's letter names Dar Al-Hijrah, the Muslim American Society, ICNA Relief and Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities among the organizations he wants HHS to examine. It also questions federal funding for overseas institutions and research projects, alleging that some recipients have connections to extremist movements or have engaged in activities inconsistent with U.S. Policy.

The claims in the letter are allegations and do not establish that each named organization misused federal funds or has legally established ties to terrorism. Roy is asking HHS to assess whether the evidence warrants suspension or debarment under federal regulations.

The congressman also criticized the Biden administration's oversight of grant recipients, arguing that weakness in vetting allowed taxpayer funds to reach organizations that warrant additional scrutiny. He urged Kennedy to incorporate broader safeguards into HHS's efforts to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.

The request adds to the Trump administration's scrutiny of federal grant programs and the organizations that receive public funding. HHS has not publicly announced an investigation into every group named in Roy's latest letter.