College protests ramp up across the country
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) - Pro-Palestine demonstrations continue at colleges across the country but some of the protests are being called out for antisemitism.
The bill passed its first hurdle in the House Tuesday afternoon. Shortly afterward, Speaker Mike Johnson said nearly every House committee will play a role to fight antisemitism on college campuses, but Democrats say it's the colleges that need to act.
At Columbia University, pro-Palestine protestors took over a building early Tuesday barricading themselves inside.
At other colleges, police are clearing encampments and arresting those who won't leave.
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are watching.
New York Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik say universities have lost control.
“The pro Hamas, antisemitic mob took over an academic building,” said Stefanik.
Speaker Johnson denounced antisemitic chants and conduct toward Jewish students happening during the protests.
“This is not the free marketplace of ideas. This is open threats to Jewish students because of their faith and who they are,” Johnson said.
New York Republican Congressman Mike Lawler says his Antisemitism Awareness Act aims to address that. It adds a definition of antisemitism to federal anti-discrimination laws.
“The rampant antisemitism requires action by the federal government,” Lawler said.
Democrats say this legislation isn't the answer.
New Mexico Democratic Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez says the bill threatens the right to free speech and protest.
"We need to remember that we are constitutionally bound to protect free speech. Even, and more importantly, when it is speech with which we do not agree,” said Leger Fernandez.
California Democratic Congressman Pete Aguilar says colleges should act before Congress.
“They have guidance, they have rules. They need to enforce those,” said Aguilar.
The next step for this bill is another vote in the House that's expected later this week.