Rep. Banks Introduces No Tax Dollars for College Encampments Act
Washington,
July 1, 2024
Today, Rep. Jim Banks (IN-03), member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, announced the No Tax Dollars for College Encampments Act. This legislation would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require universities to publicly disclose their policies for responding to campus protests. To qualify for federal accreditation, schools would also be required to adhere to their own procedures and reporting requirements when responding to civil unrest. Read coverage from Elizabeth Elkind at Fox News here. You can find the full bill text here. Said Rep. Jim Banks: “Last school year, makeshift encampments were allowed to flourish on campuses across the country, disrupting classes and intimidating Jewish students. This is unacceptable. My legislation holds these woke universities accountable and ensures they enforce protest rules fairly and equally, not only when it fits their political agenda.” Said Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21): “I am committed to ridding universities of the antisemitic rot corrupting our students and making campuses dangerous and unwelcoming to our Jewish communities which is why I am proud to help lead the No Tax Dollars for College Encampments Act. This legislation would prevent the disgraceful mob riots we saw overtake campuses across the country including Columbia University and make sure school leaders are enforcing policies against hostile campus takeovers. Any university leaders that fail to stand up for our Jewish community will be held accountable.” Said Parents Defending Education Action: "The antisemitic and anti-America hate that has manifested on college campuses has been a national embarrassment. Young Americans, brainwashed by progressive ideology, have caused chaos and destruction on university campuses all while these higher ed administrators seem to turn a blind eye to the reckless behavior. "We cannot sit idle while these college administrations allow these illegal encampments to continue. At Parents Defending Education Action, we have been committed to calling out and working to eradicate this antisemitic behavior in our academic institutions, especially in our K-12 classrooms, which is why we are proud to support Rep. Banks' bill that will work to prevent this violent behavior in higher education. Students deserve to have access to academic settings free of this disturbing behavior and this legislation will aim to stop these violent encampments." Original Cosponsors Organizations supporting this legislation include Heritage Action, Parents Defending Education Action and the American Principles Project. Background: Rep. Banks sent a letter calling on the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to deport student and foreign exchange visa-holders who have supported Hamas, a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Earlier this year, Rep. Jim Banks questioned Columbia President Minouche Shafik on an orientation glossary that was passed out to new students at the Columbia University School of Social Work. The document that had been shared with incoming students defines “Ashkenormativity” as “a system of oppression that favors white Jewish folx”. |