Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) have introduced the Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act, a bill that would “hold Institutes of Higher Education (IHEs) accountable by requiring enforcement of federal antisemitism prohibitions.” The senators from Florida cite the rise of antisemitic harassment cases at college campuses since the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel, which left over 1,200 civilians and IDF soldiers dead.
The presidents of Harvard, Penn, and Columbia have resigned due to these recorded instances.
The bill would expand the scope of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act – prohibiting discrimination based on religion (except for religious programs or activities), provide clear consequences for IHEs, aim to ensure that antisemitic discrimination penalties are equally enforced and require the U.S. Department of Education to get involved with private lawsuits brought against IHEs that receive funding to combat antisemitism, among other efforts.
Sen. Scott described the bill as a “head-on” approach to addressing anti-Jewish sentiments on college campuses.
“Jewish students deserve to be safe, and any college or university in this nation that’s enabling antisemitism on campus and leaving students terrified for their safety must be held accountable,” said Sen. Scott. “Colleges and universities must reject all forms of hate and prejudice and hold those accountable who are complicit in the rise in antisemitism we are seeing on campuses across the country. I am proud to join Senator Rubio in introducing the Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act to address these issues head-on.”
Furthermore, Sen. Rubio said that the Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act is a “critical step” to combating what he deems to be the hypocritical DEI efforts that fail to protect Jewish students.
“Colleges and universities claim to value diversity and inclusion but have failed to address dangerous antisemitic incidents that have been plaguing campuses for the past year. My Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act is a critical step toward ensuring that our educational institutions carry out their responsibility to protect Jewish students from hate and discrimination.”
Sen. Scott is attempting to fend off a challenger – former Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL) – for his seat in the upper chamber.
