Malliotakis Introduces the University Accountability Act

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) was joined by a group of House Republican colleagues in introducing H.R. 8914, the University Accountability Act, legislation that would fine tax-exempt schools that violate students' civil rights under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The legislation comes as colleges and universities across the United States have come under fire for allowing antisemitic students to wreak havoc on their campuses.

Under current federal law, a violation of Title VI, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin, can result in the loss of federal funds, but often times results in a mere corrective action that would bring the college or university back into compliance. The University Accountability Act would require colleges and universities that meet the penalty criteria to pay a fine of either five percent of the school's aggregate administrative compensation as reported on the school's Form 990, or $100,000, whichever is greater. After three civil rights violations, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would be required to review the college or university's tax-exempt status for possible revocation.

If enacted, Columbia University, which has been at the epicenter of anti-Israel protests and horrific antisemitic attacks against those of the Jewish faith, would be fined $1.9 million.

"Universities have a responsibility to protect their students from violence and discrimination and instead we're seeing a disturbing increase in antisemitic attacks and rhetoric on college campuses," Malliotakis said. "If these schools are receiving generous tax benefits from the federal government at the expense of American taxpayers, they should be doing more than simply giving a slap on the wrist to perpetrators of hate. Our legislation seeks to hold these institutions accountable with lofty financial punishments that would encourage them to investigate and crack down on instances of antisemitism and help foster a safer a safer academic environment for all students, regardless of their gender, race or religion."

"I will continue to lead the efforts ridding our higher education institutions of antisemitism. With this new legislation, the University Accountability Act, we will impose penalties on universities who violate the civil rights of their own students including by failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitic hate. Hardworking taxpayers have no interest in funding institutions that fail to protect their students from antisemitic rhetoric and behavior and this bill puts their tax-exempt status on the chopping block," said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.

"Colleges and universities are obligated to protect their students from harm," said Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. "Yet, since the October 7th attack on Israel, we've seen an alarming amount of antisemitic speech and violence on campuses across the United States. If these schools wish to continue receiving tax benefits; they cannot continue to coddle such vile behavior. This legislation compels accountability by imposing financial penalties against institutions that fail to protect the civil rights of their students. Higher education should foster an environment that allows students to expand their worldview and tolerance for others, not one that permits hatred and discrimination to thrive."

"Colleges and universities are responsible for protecting all students from hate and violence," said Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. "Recently, there has been a disturbing spike in anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence on campuses, threatening Jewish students. The University Accountability Act ensures that any institution found to be condoning this behavior is penalized by revoking its tax-exempt status and imposing financial penalties. We must ensure our tax dollars do not fund colleges and universities that foster anti-Semitism."

“Universities that do not protect the Jewish community from hate speech do not deserve benefits from the federal government. Period,” said Rep. Fischbach. “I am proud to join Rep. Malliotakis on legislation to hold these institutions accountable.”

“Our universities have an obligation to uphold the values on which our nation was founded, including freedom of religion," said Rep. Blake Moore. "This legislation sends the right signal that American taxpayers will not fund the colleges and universities that have proven violations of legal protections for students.” 

Following a November Ways and Means Committee hearing regarding antisemitism on college campuses, Malliotakis introduced several pieces of legislation to hold universities accountable, including the Combatting Antisemitism Messaging & Promoting Unity in School (CAMPUS) Act, that would prohibit federal funding from going to schools that provide funding, tuition assistance, support, or a platform to an organization that engages in antisemitic behavior or fails to hold a faculty member who promotes antisemitism accountable, and the No Visas for Antisemitic Students Act, that would revoke students visas of foreign students in the United States who engage in antisemitic behavior.

Original Cosponsors of the University Accountability Act include House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (NY-21), House Republican Conference Vice Chair Blake Moore (UT-01), and Reps. David Kustoff (TN-08), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Drew Ferguson (GA-03), Greg Murphy (NC-03), Mike Kelly (PA-16), David Schweikert (AZ-01), Carol Miller (WV-01) and Michelle Fischbach (MN-07).

Malliotakis is a member of the bipartisan House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group, and has voted for, introduced and cosponsored several pieces of legislation to provide critical military assistance to Israel, restore maximum pressure on Iran, crackdown on rising antisemitism on college campuses and secure federal security grants for the local jewish community