EXCLUSIVE — The Republican-controlled Congress has shifted its focus to reforming the Truman Scholarship program that it created in 1975 after it uncovered several allegations of left-leaning bias.
Congress’s desire to reform the Truman Scholarship comes after the American Enterprise Institute and the College Fix reported on the alleged left-wing bias embedded in the academic program. Specifically, the studies described a selective candidacy process, impartial nominations and selection, and limited outreach that focuses on attracting candidates desired by the scholarship’s board members.
“Truman scholars need to reflect the whole nation they will be serving,” American Enterprise Institute Director of the Education Policy Center Frederick Hess told the Washington Examiner. “It should be different than the ideology group thinks on campus. This is a program that’s been established by Congress and paid for by taxpayers. I think the program has been dismissive of concerns, which suggests it is not interested in change. That calls for new leadership.”
“They need to take a hard look at the judging process, in terms of who they interview and the questions they are asking.”
“At the end of the day, we have a decade’s worth of data showing this is essentially a taxpayer-funded talent pipeline and scholarship program for the Democratic Party and the liberal activist network,” College Fix Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Kalbanny told the Washington Examiner. “This is not fair to GOP taxpayers nor conservative students, and some might argue it’s unlawfully discriminatory. Conservative college students should have a fair shot, as this is supposed to be nonpartisan, but the imbalance shows that those nominating and selecting the winners favor leftwing students and causes.
“The impression I got from several of the GOP lawmakers during the hearing was that this program has a deeply embedded structural bias that is beyond reform, and they want to shut it down,” Kalbanny added.
An AEI study found that 72 of the Truman scholars from 2021-2023 had explicit interest in areas such as “LGBT+” advocacy, diversity, equity, and inclusion, or immigration rights.
The Truman Foundation recently named its 2025 winners with little change. The College Fix reported that when this year’s 54 fellowship winners were announced, 43 “have worked for Democratic politicians, advocated for progressive causes, or identify as left-leaning,” with only three winners having similar ties on the Right. The 2025 fellows include an “abortion doula,” an “abolition feminist,” and multiple students who use “they/them” or other pronouns.
Kalbanny and Hess noted the possible changes that Congress could take to reform the scholarship program.
Hess expressed his desire for the administration, which is charged with appointing eight of 13 members of the board, to possibly replace existing board members of the scholarship program.
“Congress should make clear in legislation as to what outcomes are expected,” Hess added.
Congress has already been taking steps to reform the scholarship. The House Committee on Education and the Workforce subcommittee for higher education development held a hearing that included both Kabbany and Hess as witnesses to examine the alleged bias they uncovered.
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“Subcommittee Chairman Owens put a spotlight on this, and Chairwoman Foxx inquired directly from the Truman leadership,” Hess said.
The hearing is the first of many steps Congress could take to reform the scholarship, Hess hinted.
