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.”