Tom Cotton is looking to prevent people convicted of crimes during university protests from being eligible for student debt forgiveness. (Getty Images)
The measure was co-sponsored by 16 other Republican senators, including Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Marco Rubio of Florida, and Mitt Romney of Utah.
Cotton's legislation was prompted by the spread of anti-Israel and antisemitic protests across the country at universities, with some escalating into riots. In the last two weeks, anti-Israel protests have taken place at 47 of the nation's top 50 universities, as ranked in 2024 by U.S. News and World Report.
At Columbia University, where anti-Israeli demonstrators took over a campus building, and at City College in New York, the New York Police Department announced it arrested approximately 300 individuals between April 30 and May 1.
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Sen. Tom Cotton and other Republicans slammed President Biden for what they alleged was better treatment for pro-Palestine rioters than for U.S.'s greatest mid-East ally, Israel. (Getty Images)
Companion legislation for Cotton's measure was introduced in the House by Rep. Brandon Williams, R-N.Y.
"Violent campus protesters laughably demand respect, amnesty, and even takeout food. Our bicameral bill ensures that not one student protester convicted of criminal offenses is bailed out by student loan forgiveness. Not one dime of taxpayer money will fund these criminals," Williams said in a statement.
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Biden's administration has opted for smaller scale, targeted debt forgiveness. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., among others, joined Cotton to address the protests and ridiculed Biden for not using his authority to stop them.
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Biden on Thursday publicly addressed the protests and riots, saying "Dissent is essential for democracy."
"But dissent must never lead to disorder."
Julia Johnson is a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She was previously a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner.
Follow Julia's reporting on X at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to Julia.Johnson@fox.com.
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