Final answer:
The House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) was created by Congress to investigate and identify current or former members of the Communist Party in the United States during the Cold War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The entity created by Congress to identify current or former members of the Communist Party was the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC). HUAC was tasked with investigating claims of disloyalty and subversive activities among federal employees, as well as private citizens, during the Cold War. This committee became particularly known for its role during the McCarthy era when it conducted a series of highly publicized hearings, investigating alleged Communist influence in industries such as Hollywood.
Many people's careers were affected by HUAC's investigations. Those who were suspected of being Communists or were uncooperative with the committee faced blacklisting, losing their jobs, and often the inability to find new employment. The committee's actions and the atmosphere of fear and paranoia it created came to be seen as a dark period in American history, illustrating the extent to which concerns about national security can infringe upon civil liberties.