Senate Passes Resolution Backed by Van Hollen, Cardin Condemning Threats Against HBCUs

The United States Senate passed a bipartisan resolution to condemn recent bomb threats towards Historically-Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and to reaffirm the duty of the federal government to protect college students, faculty, and staff against acts of violence. U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) both cosponsored the resolution which responds to the multiple bomb threats throughout Black History Month directed towards HBCUs, including Maryland’s own Bowie State University, Coppin State University, and Morgan State University, and D.C.’s Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia.

“We need to call the recent bomb threats against our HBCUs what it is: racial violence. These threats have forced campus lockdowns and class cancelations and created an environment of fear for students, faculty, staff, their families, and their communities,” said Senator Van Hollen. “These threats will not be tolerated – we will continue to do everything we can to address these injustices and bring the perpetrators to justice to ensure that each student and faculty member at our local HBCUs feel supported and safe while at school or in the workplace.” 

“There is absolutely no place for these types of threats in our communities. I am proud to support this resolution, which unequivocally condemns this threatened violence and reaffirms the federal government’s commitment to protecting our HBCUs and Black communities,” said Senator Cardin.

Senators Van Hollen and Cardin previously sent a letter urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to ensure the ongoing investigation into the bomb threats made against Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) is conducted swiftly, thoroughly, and with sufficient resources. Senator Van Hollen also spoke with local HBCU Presidents impacted by the threats to discuss updates on the federal investigation, including Dr. David Wilson, Morgan State University; Dr. Anthony Jenkins, Coppin State University; Dr. Aminta H. Breaux, Bowie State University; and Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, Howard University.

This resolution was introduced by Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and co-sponsored in addition to Senators Van Hollen and Cardin by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

Read the full resolution here.