Lang
1/19/24
Republican legislators are proposing a bill that would prevent Iowa public university students who support what are deemed “terrorist organizations” from receiving state financial aid.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Taylor Collins of Mediapolis and Rep. Austin Harris of Moulton, comes after nationwide protests on college campuses calling for a cease-fire in Israel’s war against Palestine. The “Combating Terrorism Act” would prohibit state financial aid from going to students or student organizations that “support or endorse terrorism or certain specified terrorist organizations.” A “terrorist organization” is defined as one so designated by the United States Secretary of State.
If the state attorney general’s office determines a student or organization at one of the three state Regents universities…Iowa, Iowa State and Northern Iowa…is considered to be in violation, the school will be notified to take further action. If financial aid is not revoked within 30 days, penalties may be assessed against the involved institution.
Collins wrote on X: “To ask Iowans to give their hard-earned money to people who support our enemies and want death to America, and our allies, is an egregious request.”