Fighting Rising Antisemitism: New Bill Targets Bias on College Campuses

In a bipartisan effort to tackle increasing antisemitism at higher education institutions, Congressman Ritchie Torres, alongside Congressman Mike Lawler, has taken a significant step forward. The duo has proposed the College Oversight and Legal Updates Mandating Bias Investigations and Accountability (COLUMBIA) Act, a legislative response to the disturbing uptrend of antisemitic incidents on campuses, with Columbia University’s recent events spotlighting the issue. This bill, if passed, would mark a proactive move toward ensuring the safety and well-being of Jewish students across the nation.

The COLUMBIA Act seeks to mandate the federal Department of Education to appoint an independent antisemitism monitor. This monitor’s role would be to evaluate and oversee universities and colleges benefitting from federal funds, ensuring these institutions actively combat antisemitism. By introducing this external oversight, the proposed law aims to hold educational bodies accountable for their efforts—or lack thereof—in tackling antisemitism within their premises.

Under this act, failing to meet the required standards to combat antisemitism could have severe repercussions for institutions, including the potential loss of federal funding. Both Torres and Lawler underscore the paramount importance of protecting Jewish students from hatred and bias on campus. They believe that establishing such a monitor is a critical step in ensuring that campuses remain safe spaces for all students, free from antisemitic acts or behavior.

With the introduction of the COLUMBIA Act, Congressman Torres and Lawler are casting a spotlight on the urgent need for enhanced measures against campus antisemitism. Their initiative reflects a broader societal call to action, addressing not only the immediate concerns at Columbia University but also the broader challenge of ensuring that higher education institutions are environments of inclusivity, not intolerance.