NAACP, Civil Rights Groups Call on Senate to Reject Racially Biased Testimony

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2026
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WASHINGTON - Today, the NAACP, National Urban League, and National Immigration Law Center called on the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee leadership to reject the racially biased testimony of The Daily Wire reporter Luke Rosiak. In a letter, the groups strongly oppose Rosiak's testimony as a Majority witness in the hearing titled "Blowing the Whistle: Inside the Grift that Keeps Giving."

The organizations condemned Rosiak's repeated appearances before the Senate, noting that his testimony reflects a pattern of racial bias, with today's testimony mischaracterizing Medicaid home care services - which support family caregivers - as fraudulent, while disproportionately focusing on non-white program participants. The letter argues that Rosiak's bias and lack of substantive knowledge on healthcare, caregiving policy, and other issues undermine the integrity of Senate proceedings.

"Luke Rosiak has a documented pattern of abusing Senate hearings to amplify racist narratives that stigmatize communities of color," said Patrice Willoughby, NAACP Chief of Policy and Legislative Affairs. "His testimony misleads the public and policymakers by ignoring data that show the vast majority of healthcare fraud is committed by providers and businesses - not by beneficiaries, and certainly not by Black or brown families who just want to care for their loved ones. The Senate has a responsibility to uphold testimony accuracy and protect the legitimacy of public institutions. Giving a platform to someone who peddles false, racially charged claims debases the Senate."

The letter cites federal data from Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy, showing that among those sentenced for healthcare fraud in 2024, 45% were white, 21% were Black, 15% were Hispanic, and 9% were of other races. Providers and businesses - not beneficiaries - are most likely to commit Medicaid fraud.

Rosiak's testimony also ignores the immense economic value of family caregivers, who provide over $1.1 trillion to the U.S. economy. Furthermore, Black and Hispanic caregivers are more likely to experience negative financial shocks from family caregiving, while having lower household income.

The organizations called on the Senate to seek testimony from individuals with a demonstrated record of integrity, fairness, and professional competence - especially at a moment when the nation is confronting the consequences of racial polarization and disinformation.

Read the full letter here.

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About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund - also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.