U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) on May 9 introduced legislation that would revoke federal student financial assistance for individuals who are convicted of trespassing, rioting, or damaging property while protesting at an American college or university.
If enacted, the No Higher education Assistance for Mobs of Antisemitic and terrorist Sympathizing Students Act, S. 4302, also known as the No HAMAS Act, would dictate that such convicted students would lose their eligibility for any federal grant, loan, or work assistance, according to the text of the bill.
“Hardworking taxpayers shouldn’t have to keep paying for the college tuition of convicted lawbreakers,” Sen. Tillis said. “The No Hamas Act is common-sense legislation that will cut off federal aid for grown adults who are breaking our laws, spewing antisemitism, and openly embracing terrorists.”
Sen. Tillis sponsored the bill alongside eight original cosponsors, including Sen. Blackburn and U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Joni Ernst (R-IA).
“In Joe Biden’s America, hardworking taxpayers are forced to aid Hamas-sympathizing students who blatantly violate the law by trespassing and destroying campus property,” said Sen. Blackburn. “There ought to be a clear lesson for these students: if you choose to break the law, you lose your federal assistance.”