WASHINGTON, D.C. – Colleges and universities that fail to protect Jewish students could face financial consequences under legislation recently approved by the Ways and Means Committee. The bill levies penalties against schools found by a federal court to have violated a student’s civil rights, which includes findings of discrimination against Jewish students.
The Committee also approved education-focused legislation in response to the growing demand by parents for flexibility to tailor their child’s education to that child’s unique needs. That bill expands 529 accounts to cover more educational expenses. Parents with kids in grades K-12 would be able be able to cover items such as tutoring, educational therapies for children with disabilities, books, and homeschooling, using these accounts. Students learning a skilled trade or earning a technical degree will also be able to pay for those expenses using 529 accounts, correcting an unfair imbalance in the tax benefits for students who earn a four-year degree and those preparing for the workforce or obtaining additional certificates.
A range of organizations, from Jewish student groups to taxpayer advocates, are speaking up and endorsing the Committee’s efforts on these fronts.
The University Accountability Act (H.R. 8914)
Levies new financial penalties on colleges and universities found by a federal court to have violated a student’s civil rights, which includes discrimination of Jewish students.
Coalition for Jewish Values
Combat Antisemitism Movement
Orthodox Union Advocacy Center
The Friedlander Group
The Education and Workforce Freedom Act (H.R. 8915)
Helps parents save for their child’s education and helps students earn a skilled trade or technical credential or license using 529 accounts.
Job Creators Network
National Taxpayers Union
College Savings Plans Network & College Savings Foundation
Americans for Tax Reform
Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA)
