East Idaho Times

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, along with his colleagues, has introduced the No Higher Education Assistance for Mobs of Antisemitic and Terrorist Sympathizing Students (No HAMAS) Act. The legislation is led by Senator Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) and comes as a direct response to the unlawful antisemitic, pro-Hamas encampments and riots that have occurred nationwide. 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) are also backing the introduction of this legislation.

The No HAMAS Act proposes to revoke federal student financial assistance for students convicted of trespassing, rioting, or damaging property while protesting at a higher education institution. Convicted students would lose their eligibility for any federal grant, loan, or work assistance.

“American colleges need to restore order and protect Jewish students on campus,” stated 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.”

Tillis added that "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." He described the No Hamas Act as commonsense legislation that will cut off federal aid for adults who break laws, promote antisemitism, and openly embrace terrorists.

Blackburn echoed these sentiments stating that 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. She concluded, “There ought to be a clear lesson for these students: if you choose to break the law, you lose your federal assistance.”

The text of the bill may be found here.