Ft Wayne Times

Rep. Jim Banks (IN-03), a member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, announced the No Tax Dollars for College Encampments Act today. This legislation seeks to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 by requiring universities to publicly disclose their policies for responding to campus protests. To qualify for federal accreditation, schools would also need to adhere to their own procedures and reporting requirements when dealing with civil unrest.

Rep. Banks stated, "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."

Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21) expressed her support: "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."

Parents Defending Education Action also endorsed the bill: "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."

The organization further emphasized its commitment: "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 access to academic settings free of this disturbing behavior and this legislation will aim to stop these violent encampments."

Original cosponsors of the bill include Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21), Rep. Van Drew (NJ-02), Rep. Brandon Williams (NY-22), Rep. Mike Collins (GA-10), Rep. Tim Walberg (MI-05), Rep. Michael Guest (MS-03), and Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO-03). Organizations supporting this legislation include Heritage Action, Parents Defending Education Action, and the American Principles Project.

Last year, Rep. Jim Banks questioned University of Pennsylvania President Ms. Liz Magill about allowing antisemitic speech at the university following Hamas’s October 7th terrorist attack.

Rep. Banks also sent a letter urging the State Department and Department of Homeland Security to deport student and foreign exchange visa-holders who have supported Hamas.

Earlier this year, he questioned Columbia President Minouche Shafik regarding an orientation glossary distributed at Columbia University School of Social Work that defined “Ashkenormativity” as “a system of oppression that favors white Jewish folx.”