A group of House Republicans, led by Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs, sent a letter Monday to the Department of Education demanding an investigation into their $37.7 million fine recently imposed against Grand Canyon University (GCU), the largest private Christian school in the U.S.
The Daily Caller first obtained a copy of the letter, which was sent to Sandra Bruce, the Inspector General of the Education Department. In the letter, the lawmakers say the department is “using its unchecked power to inappropriately target” the Christian university and call for the “evidence” supporting the Education Department’s allegations to be investigated.
GCU was fined $37.7 million after the Education Department said that it lied to over than 7,000 students about the price of certain doctoral programs. The lawmakers mention that the allegations were “refuted” in federal court by the Higher Learning Commission and by the Arizona State Approving Agency of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Biggs was joined by Arizona Reps. Debbie Lesko, Eli Crane and Paul Gosar. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Biggs, House Republicans Introduce Legislation To Defund Manhattan DA’s Office, Make Them Repay Federal Funds)
“ED’s actions instead are a direct result of their well-documented disapproval of successful for- profit colleges and their unexplainable opposition to GCU’s 2018 conversion from for-profit to non-profit, which was supported by the Internal Revenue Service, the Higher Learning Commission, the State of Arizona, Arizona Private Postsecondary Board, and NCAA Athletics,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. “Since GCU first appealed ED’s refusal to recognize their non-profit status in 2021, ED has targeted the university. The Department of Education appears to be using its unchecked power to inappropriately target GCU. This outrageous fine and the ‘evidence’ supporting ED’s allegations must be investigated.”
READ THE LETTER HERE:
(DAILY CALLER OBTAINED) — … by Henry Rodgers
“The Department of Education’s egregious fine against GCU is yet another example of a weaponized federal government,” Biggs told the Caller before sending the letter. “The ED is utilizing its unchecked bureaucratic power to unjustly target a Christian university. The fine and ‘evidence’ supporting the ED’s allegations against GCU must be investigated.” (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Biggs, House Republicans Press DOD Over Military Equipment Lost During Afghanistan Withdrawal)
The lawmakers say they look forward to hearing back from the Education Department in a timely manner.