NEWS RELEASE: Senator Moody Applauds Department of Justice’s Action to Combat Antisemitism at Harvard University

Senator Moody previously introduced the RECLAIM Act - a bill that runs parallel to the Administration's action to address the issue of antisemitism on college campuses.

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Senator Ashley Moody released a statement following the Department of Justice taking legal action to protect Jewish university students at Harvard University:

"America's previously respected universities have become cesspools of hate and antisemitism aimed at Jewish students. I've previously met with Harvard University's president to urge him to make meaningful, positive change on the issue, and have been deeply disappointed with the school's response. I'm glad to see President Trump take legal action today to protect our students, and will keep pushing for the Senate to pass my RECLAIM Act, because American universities like Harvard desperately need accountability," said Senator Ashley Moody

BACKGROUND:

• One of Senator Moody's first bills filed after being appointed to the U.S. Senate was the RECLAIM Act - a bill aimed to claw back federal funding from universities who allow violations of students' civil rights.
• Specifically, the RECLAIM Act:
  • Expands the prohibition on the provision of federal funds to an entire entity found in violation of Title VI, rather than limiting the prohibition to the specific activity being funded.
  • Grants the federal government the ability to claw back federal funds that have already been awarded during the period when the violation of Title VI was found to have occurred by a court. Additionally, if those funds were already spent, the bill enables the enforcing authority to recoup the full value of awarded funds from the entity found in violation of Title VI, i.e. from a university's endowment.
  • Creates a requirement to impose a moratorium on the provision of federal funds to an entity if an injunction is issued in a case where a Title VI Civil Rights Act violation is alleged. Consideration for the entity to receive funds is dependent upon a court certifying that the entity is compliant with the injunction.
• Last year, Senator Moody met with Harvard President Alan Garber to express deep frustration with Harvard's inaction regarding students who violated the civil rights of, and even assaulted, their peers simply because of their religion.
• The DOJ complaint charges Harvard of remaining "deliberately indifferent" to antisemitic and anti-Israeli conduct, and of allowing a hostile environment to persist while continuing to receive billions in taxpayer-funded research grants.
• Following the horrific Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel in October 2023, antisemitic activity at college campuses across the nation increased.
• Senator Moody is committed to combatting antisemitism and supporting the United States' ally Israel. As Florida's former Attorney General, Senator Moody fiercely fought antisemitic activity on college campuses and worked with law enforcement to stop anti-Jewish hate crimes.

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