Chavez-DeRemer introduces bipartisan bill to combat antisemitism on college campuses

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) – Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) and Kathy Manning (NC-06) introduced on Wednesday the Protecting Students on Campus Act. This bipartisan legislation would empower students to file reports to the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights if they experience antisemitic violence, harassment, or other unlawful discrimination on college campuses due to their heritage or religion.

“The disturbing rise and spread of antisemitism on college campuses is unacceptable. College should be about growing into an adult and making life-long friends – not fearing for your life because of the religion you practice,” Chavez-DeRemer said. “Our bipartisan legislation will empower students facing discrimination by making it easier to report these civil rights violations. As a member of the Education and Workforce Committee, I’ll continue standing up against antisemitism on our campuses and fighting to protect Jewish students.”

“All students deserve to learn and live on college campuses without fear of discrimination, harassment, or intimidation. Unfortunately, right now, Jewish students across the country are facing a drastic rise in antisemitism, leaving them feeling threatened, ostracized, and unwelcome on campuses,” Manning said. “I’m leading the bipartisan Protecting Students on Campus Act to help protect students from discrimination and ensure that colleges and universities do more to combat antisemitism and hate or be held accountable.”

The legislation is in response to a sharp increase in antisemitism on college campuses across the United States following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel. According to a recent ADL and Hillel International survey, 73 percent of Jewish college students surveyed have experienced or witnessed some form of antisemitism on campus since the beginning of the 2023 school year.

Specifically, the Protecting Students on Campus Act would:

• Require institutions of higher education participating in federal student aid programs to share information with students about Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including a link to the webpage where an individual can submit a complaint regarding discrimination;
• Require the Assistant Secretary of Civil Rights at the Department of Education to give a monthly briefing to Congress on the number of discrimination reports received and detailing a plan to address those complaints; and 
• Require every institution of higher education that receives federal funding to submit an annual report to the Inspector General of the Department of Education detailing the number of discrimination reports received that violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and actions the institution took regarding those complaints.

A companion bill in the U.S. Senate is being led by Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.).

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

Chavez-DeRemer has been an outspoken advocate for Jewish students experiencing antisemitism on campuses. During an Education and the Workforce Committee hearing in December, she slammed many prestigious universities’ lack of Jewish history classes. More recently, she spoke directly to students who have experienced antisemitism to recognize their bravery.