Why It Matters

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) will be under fire on December 16th as the judiciary panel delves into organization’s research and its widely-cited "Hate Map" designations.

Who is affected:

  • The SPLC itself: The organization faces delegitimization of its core advocacy work and potential loss of remaining federal agency relationships. Its $2.7 million quarterly lobbying operation targets civil rights legislation, voting rights bills, and DEI programs—all facing scrutiny or rollback.

  • Conservative and religious organizations: Groups designated on the SPLC’s "Hate Map"—including the Family Research Council and activist Charlie Kirk—seek vindication through findings that the SPLC uses politically motivated labeling rather than rigorous methodology.

  • Federal agencies: The FBI already severed ties with the SPLC in October 2025. The Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies face pressure to formally sever relationships.

    • Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) alleges the SPLC operates as a "partisan" tool that unfairly targets political opponents and has incited violence against designated groups. The hearing will examine whether the SPLC’s research methodology is credible and whether federal agencies should continue integrating its data into policy and law enforcement training.

    Broader Context

    The December 16, 2025 House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on the Southern Poverty Law Center occurs amid significant shifts in federal civil rights enforcement.

    The FBI severed ties with the SPLC in October 2025, citing concerns about the organization’s "Hate Map." The bureau simultaneously ended partnerships with the Anti-Defamation League on extremism training.

    The Trump administration has implemented sweeping civil rights rollbacks. Over 200 former Justice Department Civil Rights Division employees warned of the division’s "destruction," with roughly 75 percent of attorneys departing since January 2025. Key changes include elimination of "disparate impact" civil rights standards and abandonment of consent decrees designed to prevent police abuse.

    The SPLC laid off roughly 60 employees—about one-fourth of staff—in June 2025, signaling financial difficulties following its loss of federal partnerships.

    The Agenda

    The December 16 hearing will feature testimony examining the Southern Poverty Law Center’s influence on federal civil rights policy. The House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government will lead the proceeding.

    The subcommittee roster includes Reps. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), though no formal witness list has been released.

    Key areas under examination include:

    • The SPLC’s "Hate Map" designations and their accuracy
    • The organization’s influence on federal agencies like the FBI and DOJ
    • Alleged connections between SPLC designations and violence against targeted groups
    • The organization’s federal lobbying activities and partnerships

    Between The Lines

    Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) is driving the subcommittee’s focus with escalating rhetoric and legislative proposals.

    Roy has characterized the organization as "radical, discredited, and partisan," praising the FBI’s decision to cut ties. He accused the SPLC of using its "heat map" to brand conservative organizations as "hate groups" and "putting a target on" activists.

    In a comprehensive letter to House leadership, Roy linked the SPLC’s "notorious ‘Hate Map’" to violence, connecting its designation of the Family Research Council to a shooting at its headquarters and Charlie Kirk’s designation to campus violence.

    Roy’s most significant push came through his call for a Select Committee to investigate the SPLC’s "funding, coordination, and political motivation."

    Competitive Landscape

    The SPLC maintains a robust federal lobbying operation, spending $2.7 million on lobbying in Q3 2025. Current legislative priorities include supporting HR 2588—the Improving Reporting to Prevent Hate Act—and major voting rights legislation like the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

    Conservative organizations designated on the SPLC’s "Hate Map" have significant interest in challenging the organization’s credibility. A favorable hearing outcome could validate claims of unfair targeting and potentially undermine the SPLC’s policy influence.

    The Bottom Line

    The December 16, 2025 House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing will examine the Southern Poverty Law Center’s influence on federal civil rights policy. The hearing stems from conservative lawmakers’ allegations that the SPLC operates as a partisan organization using its "Hate Map" to target political opponents.

    The political landscape has shifted significantly against the SPLC. The FBI cut ties with the organization, and the SPLC laid off about 60 employees in June 2025. The Trump administration has rolled back key civil rights enforcement mechanisms the SPLC historically supported.

    Despite these setbacks, the SPLC remains actively engaged in Washington advocacy, spending $2.7 million on lobbying in Q3 2025 on issues ranging from voting rights to opposing defense department diversity programs.

    Access the Legis1 platform for comprehensive political news, data, and insights.

    Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article