FRC's Perkins Testifies Against SPLC, Calls for Broader Congressional Inquiry — Family Research Council

Event summary

FRC President Tony Perkins testified before the House Judiciary Committee on May 20, 2026, accusing the SPLC of distorting civil rights policy and targeting Christian organizations.
Perkins detailed a 2012 attack on FRC headquarters by an activist who cited SPLC's 'hate map' as motivation, resulting in $6 million in security costs for FRC.
SPLC's classifications influenced financial and tech companies to deplatform and defund organizations labeled as extremist, according to Perkins' testimony.
Perkins urged Congress to expand its inquiry beyond SPLC to include other groups involved in what he described as a coordinated effort against conservatives.

The big picture

Perkins' testimony highlights the growing tension between civil rights organizations and conservative groups over classification and access to financial and digital infrastructure. The hearing comes amid increasing scrutiny of how nonprofits influence corporate policies, particularly in the wake of Charlottesville and the formation of coalitions like 'Change the Terms'. The strategic implications extend to how financial and tech sectors balance free speech concerns with efforts to combat extremism.

What we're watching

Regulatory Scrutiny: Whether Congress will expand its inquiry into other organizations involved in targeting conservative groups, as urged by Perkins.
Financial Access: How financial institutions may adjust their policies regarding organizations labeled by SPLC, given the heightened scrutiny.
Tech Platform Policies: The pace at which technology companies reassess their reliance on SPLC classifications for content moderation and account access.