Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator Mike Crapo joined colleagues in the introduction of the No Higher education Assistance for Mobs of Antisemitic and terrorist Sympathizing Students (No HAMAS) Act. The legislation, led by Senator Thom Tillis ( R-North Carolina), is in direct response to the unlawful antisemitic, pro-Hamas encampments and riots that have taken place across the nation. Crapo and Tillis are joined in introducing the legislation by Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), and Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska).
The No HAMAS Act would revoke federal student financial assistance for students who are convicted of trespassing, rioting, or damaging property while protesting at a higher education institution. Students convicted would lose their eligibility for any federal grant, loan, or work assistance.
“American colleges need to restore order and protect Jewish students on campus,” said Crapo. “Federal tax dollars should not fund the education of those who wish to threaten or harm fellow students, promote antisemitism or support terrorist organizations.”
“Mobs of pro-Hamas students have flagrantly violated the law, destroyed campus property, and resorted to violence against fellow students and law enforcement. Hardworking taxpayers shouldn’t have to keep paying for the college tuition of convicted lawbreakers,” said Tillis. “The No Hamas Act is commonsense legislation that will cut off federal aid for grown adults who are breaking our laws, spewing antisemitism, and openly embracing terrorists.”
“In Joe Biden’s America, hardworking taxpayers are forced to aid Hamas-sympathizing students who blatantly violate the law by trespassing and destroying campus property,” said Blackburn. “There ought to be a clear lesson for these students: if you choose to break the law, you lose your federal assistance.”
Text of the bill may be found here.