Congress Ramps Up Scrutiny of Antisemitism on Campus

In the wake of widely reported allegations of antisemitism on college campuses, lawmakers on Capitol Hill have dramatically increased their scrutiny – and criticism – of how campus leaders are responding.

During the past two weeks, Congress has initiated multiple inquires to examine the increase in antisemitic incidents on college campuses. During these congressional inquiries, institutions of higher education have been broadly criticized both for their initial responses to the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and for their reactions to subsequent incidents on campus, including harassment and violence against Jewish students, as well as perceived support of violent pro-Palestinian groups.

At a House Subcommittee on Higher Education and the Workforce hearing, both parties acknowledged the responsibility that institutions of higher education have to protect their students from antisemitism. However, Chairman Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT) and his Republican colleagues spent much of the hearing criticizing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, arguing that such programs are divisive and actually help “fuel the antisemitic fire.”

Earlier this week, the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing examining tax-exempt organizations that support antisemitism and pro-Hamas activities in the U.S. Testimony by Jewish students and Jewish organizations highlighted specific incidents at colleges and universities across the country as examples of pro-Palestinian and pro-Hamas groups targeting Jewish students, organizations, and campus facilities with threats of violence. In general, witnesses agreed that many U.S. colleges have become dangerous places for Jewish students and urged the Department of Education to step up its enforcement efforts against antisemitism.

Last week, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), ranking member on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions convened a bipartisan roundtable discussion with Jewish students and educational leaders while he also presses for a hearing on these issues by the full committee. The House Judiciary Committee also held a hearing examining rising incidents of antisemitism on college campuses and the intersection with free expression. 

Meanwhile, the Department of Education released a new fact sheet that summarizes previous efforts by the Biden Administration to combat anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and related forms of discrimination on college campuses.

For more information, please contact:
Jody Feder