Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senator Katie Britt, along with colleagues including Senator Tim Scott, has introduced the Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act. The legislation aims to withdraw federal funding from institutions that promote or allow antisemitic activities on their campuses.

The proposal follows a decision by several federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Department of Education, to cancel approximately $400 million in grants and contracts to Columbia University. This action was taken in response to the university's alleged inaction regarding the harassment of Jewish students.

“Any American educational institution authorizing, facilitating, or otherwise supporting pro-terrorism activities should lose every cent of federal funding and subsidization. I’m proud to join my colleagues in strengthening the Trump Administration’s efforts to ensure Jewish students across our country are safe and secure on college campuses. We must continue to send a resounding message that antisemitism has no place in America,” Senator Britt stated.

Senator Scott added, “The intention of taxpayer dollars for universities is to educate students, not promote and foster hate. We’ve witnessed campuses across our nation turn into cesspools for anti-Jewish, anti-Israel activists. Let’s make one thing clear: federal funding is a privilege and not a right. Rooting out hate wherever it rears its ugly head will always be in fashion. I remain dedicated to defending the rights of Jewish students to attend class peacefully.”

Congressman Mike Lawler has introduced a companion bill in the House.

Senator Britt has consistently supported the Jewish community and Israel. Following events in October, she visited Israel with other senators to reinforce U.S. support for the country.

Senator Britt also reintroduced the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which instructs the Department of Education to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism in campus investigations. “Now more than ever, we must send a resounding message that antisemitism has no place in America—we must stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters across our country, and abroad,” she emphasized.

In a November 2024 open letter to Jewish students, Senator Britt condemned universities not addressing campus antisemitism. She assured Jewish students that, "I want to make clear to each and every Jewish student on an American campus: I and my colleagues won’t stand for this. While your administrators may not have your backs, we do. And we always will."