Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill 119 s 1182, also known as the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act of 2021, aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. The bill seeks to prohibit institutions of higher education from participating in student loan and grant programs under title IV of the Act if they authorize events on campus that are deemed antisemitic.

The bill specifically targets events that promote hatred, discrimination, or violence against individuals of Jewish faith or descent. By prohibiting institutions from participating in federal student aid programs if they allow such events to take place on campus, the bill aims to combat antisemitism in higher education settings.

Supporters of the bill argue that it is necessary to protect Jewish students from discrimination and harassment on college campuses. They believe that by holding institutions accountable for allowing antisemitic events to occur, the bill will help create a safer and more inclusive environment for all students. Critics of the bill, however, raise concerns about potential violations of free speech rights on college campuses. They argue that the bill could infringe on the First Amendment rights of students and faculty members who wish to engage in open and honest discussions about sensitive topics, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Overall, Bill 119 s 1182 is a controversial piece of legislation that seeks to address the issue of antisemitism on college campuses. It remains to be seen how the bill will be received by Congress and whether it will ultimately become law.