Hoosier State Today

Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) stated that universities must be held accountable for the safety of students during campus protests and "enforce protest rules fairly and equally." Banks made the statement in a July 1 press release.

"Last school year, makeshift encampments were allowed to flourish on campuses across the country, disrupting classes and intimidating Jewish students," said Banks, U.S. Representative for Indiana. "My legislation holds these woke universities accountable and ensures they enforce protest rules fairly and equally, not only when it fits their political agenda."

According to the press release, Rep. Banks introduced the No Tax Dollars for College Encampments Act as an amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1965. This legislation obligates "universities to publicly disclose their policies for responding to campus protests," as well as follow their own policies in order to apply for or receive accreditation.

"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," said Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) in the Banks press release. Stefanik is one of the bill’s co-sponsors, along with six others from across the country.

U.S. Representative Jim Banks has represented Indiana’s 3rd congressional district since 2016, according to his website. He is Chairman of the Republican Study Committee and sits on the House Armed Services Committee, the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party.