Gottheimer urges U.S. Department of Education to take action to protect religious freedom on college campuses

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) urged the U.S. Department of Education to prioritize the rulemaking process for Title VI to ensure students who are or are perceived to be Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, or of another religious group are protected under federal law.

Gottheimer’s letter to the Department of Education comes following a faculty member employed at George Washington University (GWU) targeted Jewish and Israeli students with antisemitic speech.

A Title VI complaint was filed against the University in January 2023 following numerous reports from students that a GWU psychology professor repeatedly discriminated against and targeted Jewish and Israeli students based on their identities.

“While I appreciate your recent guidance to reinforce student Title VI discriminatory protections based on shared ancestry or ethnicity, the Department of Education must go further to begin the rulemaking process, ensuring students who are or are perceived to be Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, or of another religious group are protected under federal law,” said Gottheimer (NJ-5) in a letter to U.S. Education Secretary Cardona. “I have been a strong proponent of taking all measures necessary to protect students against hate, discrimination, and bigotry — especially Jewish students who face a barrage of antisemitism on their college campuses. It is critical that these students not be singled out or made to feel unwelcome, and that universities uphold our values. After a year with historic levels of antisemitism, I ask the Department to prioritize the rulemaking process for Title VI.”