HR 1033119th CongressIn Committee

COLUMBIA Act of 2025

Introduced: Feb 5, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The COLUMBIA Act of 2025 would require the Secretary of Education to create a program that places independent, third-party antisemitism monitors at colleges and universities identified as having high rates of antisemitic activity. The determination hinges on data from the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights and institutions that receive funds under the Higher Education Act. Monitors would operate under a formal monitorship agreement with each institution, with the institution covering the monitor’s reasonable expenses. The monitors would report quarterly on progress in combating antisemitism (with those reports publicly posted) and would submit an annual report containing policy recommendations and potential sanctions to prevent and reduce antisemitism. The act is titled the College Oversight and Legal Updates Mandating Bias Investigations and Accountability Act of 2025 (COLUMBIA Act). The bill was introduced in the House on February 5, 2025, by Rep. Torres of New York (along with Rep. Lawler) and referred to the Education and Workforce Committee. It would take effect within 180 days of enactment.

Key Points

1Establishment of an antisemitism monitors program: The Secretary of Education must appoint independent, third-party antisemitism monitors to certain higher education institutions within 180 days of enactment.
2Target institutions: Monitors apply to institutions the Department’s Office for Civil Rights data indicates have a high incidence of antisemitic activity and that receive funds under the Higher Education Act of 1965.
3Monitorship agreement and costs: Each institution enters into a monitorship agreement with the antisemitism monitor, and the institution must pay the monitor’s reasonable expenses.
4Monitor duties: Monitors operate under the agreement, provide quarterly public reports evaluating progress against antisemitism mitigation and post them on both the institution’s and the Department of Education’s websites; they also prepare an annual report with concrete recommendations for actions, policies, and sanctions to prevent and reduce antisemitism.
5Scope and branding: The definition of “institution of higher education” aligns with the Higher Education Act’s definition in section 102.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Colleges and universities identified as having high antisemitic activity and receiving HEA funds; their students and campus communities, particularly Jewish students, who may experience antisemitism on campus.Secondary group/area affected: The U.S. Department of Education (Office for Civil Rights), state and local governments, and Congress through required reporting and oversight.Additional impacts: Potential effects on campus speech and campus climate, administrative and compliance costs for institutions, increased transparency through public quarterly reports, and potential policy or sanction recommendations to address antisemitism. The bill also raises questions about free speech, academic freedom, data privacy, and due process in the context of external monitoring.

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