Ernst, Cassidy Introduce Bill Forcing Universities, Biden Admin to Combat Antisemitism

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced the Restoring Civility on Campus Act to require universities and the Department of Education to immediately address civil rights complaints if a student experiences violence or harassment on campus because of their heritage.

The bill builds upon Senator Ernst’s work to combat antisemitism and hold the Biden administration accountable for protecting Jewish and Israeli students on college campuses.

“I have been demanding answers from this administration about what they are doing to combat the abhorrent and un-American spike in antisemitism on college campuses, and their inaction speaks volumes,” said Ernst. “Jewish students should not be forced to risk their safety in pursuit of an education. The Restoring Civility on Campus Act will force the Department of Education to stop sitting on its hands and comply with the law to protect students from the hate and violence that have exploded across the country.”

“The threats and violence against Jewish students demand action. No student should be afraid to walk around campus because of who they are,” said Cassidy. “Universities and the Department of Education have failed to meet their legal obligation to protect Jewish students from harm. This bill forces accountability and ensures discrimination is never ignored.”

Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has a responsibility to ensure university programs or activities that receive federal funds do not discriminate against students based on their shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics. 

Background:

Senator Ernst has been a staunch advocate for Jewish students and fought to protect them from antisemitic violence and pro-Hamas propaganda that has skyrocketed across the country.

As cases of antisemitism on campuses started to increase after the October 7 attack on Israel, Ernst introduced the Students Bill of Rights Act to protect the First Amendment rights of students and stem discrimination at its source.

On October 2023, Senator Ernst blasted the Department of Education for failing to take the necessary steps to protect Jewish students on college campuses.  

In May 2024, Ernst led 15 of her colleagues in demanding the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) investigate if 501(c)(3) organizations that have backed the violent pro-Hamas protests on college campuses violated the terms of their tax-exempt status.

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