WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – As campus protests escalate, Congress is threatening consequences.
House Republicans are launching an investigation into federal funding for these universities and pushing to pass a new antisemitism law.
House leaders accuse university officials of failing to keep the protests under control and they say not enough is being done to protect Jewish students.
Fireworks erupted at UCLA and protesters clashed on campus overnight.
Across the country at Columbia, New York police stormed a university building to arrest dozens of protesters who had been occupying it.
“This thing is out of control,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
From Capitol Hill lawmakers are watching with concern and House Speaker Mike Johnson warns if universities don’t get the chaos under control, “you will see Congress respond in kind, you’re going to see funding sources begin to dry up. You’re going to see every level of accountability that we can muster.”
He says several House committees will be investigating the protests and may decide to take away federal funding and this week Congress is gearing up to vote on a bill to change the federal definition of antisemitism under an anti-discrimination law.
“The rampant antisemitism requires action by the federal government,” said Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.)
Congressman Mike Lawler introduced the legislation and supporters say it would allow universities to crack down on harmful speech.
“This is not the free marketplace of ideas. This is open threats to Jewish students because of their faith and who they are,” said Johnson.
Some worry it goes too far like Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.).
“We are constitutionally bound to protect free speech. Even, and more importantly, when it is speech with which we do not agree,” she said.
Congressman Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) prefers letting universities respond.
“They have guidance, they have rules. They need to enforce those before Congress creates new ones,” Aguilar said.
The White House says while the president supports peaceful protest he is concerned about antisemitism on campus and doesn’t agree with protestors occupying university buildings.