HYDE-SMITH BACKS RESOLUTION CONDEMNING CAMPUS ANTISEMITISM 

HYDE-SMITH BACKS RESOLUTION CONDEMNING CAMPUS ANTISEMITISM 

Hyde-Smith also Cosponsors ‘No Bailouts for Campus Criminals Act’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) on Thursday cosponsored a resolution that condemns the escalation of antisemitism on U.S. college campuses and urges President Biden’s Department of Education to take necessary actions to ensure that colleges and universities are complying with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students.

S.Res.670, introduced by U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), also criticizes university administrators who have enabled ongoing antisemitism on their campuses.  

“Everyone has a right to express their opinion in this country, but not when it turns to speech that foments hate and violence.  It’s shameful that the permissive policies at colleges and universities have fueled antisemitism, violence, and intimidation.  It’s simply unacceptable,” Hyde-Smith said.

“Antisemitism is rearing its ugly head at college campuses across our nation.  Jewish students are being targeted with violence and harassment, and the university presidents and administrators, who should be defending them, are caving to the radical mob and allowing chaos to spread,” said Scott.  “Every Jewish student has the right to attend class, study, and walk campus safely.  The ‘adults’ who refuse to uphold that right must be held accountable.” 

In a separate action, Hyde-Smith also cosponsored the No Bailouts for Campus Criminals Act (S.4240), which was introduced Thursday by U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).  It would make any individual who is convicted of a state or federal offense in connection with a campus protest ineligible for any federal student loan relief.

“The Biden student loan forgiveness scheme is already audacious, but allowing pro-Hamas and other student lawbreakers to benefit would be an outrage for taxpayers, who are already left holding the bag to pay off these loans,” Hyde-Smith said.

“Americans who never went to college or responsibly paid off their debts shouldn’t have to pay off other people’s student loans.  They especially shouldn’t have to pay off the loans of Hamas sympathizers shutting down and defacing campuses,” Cotton said.

Last December, Hyde-Smith and other Republican Senators issued a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona that sought full enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act be enforced to ensure the protection of Jewish students from growing antisemitic harassment in K-12 schools.  The Senator has also cosponsored a resolution of disapproval to overturn the Biden student loan forgiveness program.

###