Republicans introduce bill attacking Gaza solidarity encampments at US universities

A group of Republican lawmakers has introduced legislation that seeks to force US universities to fully disclose how they will manage Gaza solidarity encampments that have swept the nation's schools over the past several months.

If it passes, the legislation will change some language within the Higher Education Act of 1965 to mandate that universities receiving federal funds disclose the measures it takes to "respond to incidents of civil disturbance occurring on the campus".

The legislation, introduced by Elise Stefanik and Jim Banks, joins a chorus of other bills and attempts by Republicans in Congress to stifle pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses, which has spiked since Israel's war on Gaza began last October.

“This legislation would prevent the disgraceful mob riots we saw overtake campuses across the country including Columbia University and make sure school leaders are enforcing policies against hostile campus takeovers,” Stefanik said in a statement announcing the legislation.

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