Staten Island Reporter

On July 3, 2024, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) introduced H.R. 8914, the University Accountability Act. This legislation aims to fine tax-exempt schools that violate students' civil rights under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The introduction follows concerns about colleges and universities across the United States allowing antisemitic activities on their campuses.

Under current federal law, violations of Title VI can lead to the loss of federal funds but often result in corrective actions rather than financial penalties. The University Accountability Act would impose fines on institutions meeting penalty criteria, requiring them to pay either five percent of their aggregate administrative compensation as reported on Form 990 or $100,000, whichever is greater. After three civil rights violations, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would review the institution's tax-exempt status for possible revocation.

If enacted, Columbia University would face a fine of $1.9 million due to its recent issues with anti-Israel protests and antisemitic attacks.

"Universities have a responsibility to protect their students from violence and discrimination," said Malliotakis. "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."

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik emphasized her commitment to addressing antisemitism in higher education: "With this new legislation... 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."

Congressman Greg Murphy stated, "Since the October 7th attack on Israel, we've seen an alarming amount of antisemitic speech and violence on campuses across the United States." He stressed that continued receipt of tax benefits should not be compatible with tolerating such behavior.

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney added that there has been a disturbing increase in anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence on campuses: "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."

Rep. Fischbach noted, “Universities that do not protect the Jewish community from hate speech do not deserve benefits from the federal government.”

Rep. Blake Moore remarked, "This legislation sends the right signal that American taxpayers will not fund 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 related legislation. These include the Combatting Antisemitism Messaging & Promoting Unity in School (CAMPUS) Act and No Visas for Antisemitic Students Act.

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), 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 also a member of the bipartisan House-Knesset Parliamentary Friendship Group and has supported various legislative measures aimed at assisting Israel militarily, applying pressure on Iran, combating rising antisemitism in educational institutions, and securing federal security grants for local Jewish communities.