Charleston Leader

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) raised concerns about the rising antisemitism on college campuses and the issues with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) during a hearing with U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.

In her opening statement, Senator Capito highlighted the disturbing incidents of antisemitism on college campuses, particularly referencing the situation at Columbia University. She emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of all students, stating, “No student should feel unsafe on their campus.” Secretary Cardona expressed his strong disapproval of the antisemitic incidents, stating, “Hate has no place on our campuses.”

When questioned about the Department of Education’s efforts to monitor antisemitism at Columbia University, Secretary Cardona mentioned that they have an open investigation but confirmed that there were no staff present at the university at that moment.

Senator Capito also addressed the issues with the FAFSA form, pointing out the significant decrease in the number of freshmen applying for financial aid. She questioned Secretary Cardona about the impact of the FAFSA rollout on students, to which he responded by acknowledging the challenges and expressing a willingness to work on improving access to higher education.

The exchange between Senator Capito and Secretary Cardona highlighted the importance of addressing campus antisemitism and ensuring that the FAFSA process is efficient and accessible to all students seeking financial aid.