Vote Explainer — Antisemitism Awareness Act

Transparency is vital to democracy. Below please find explainers for key votes I took in the 118th Congress.

H.R.6090 – Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023

Today I voted in favor of the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023. Antisemitism on campus is a serious and troubling issue, and colleges should protect their students from hate speech and calls for violence. While peaceful protest is the fundamental right of every American, and I understand and appreciate people's desire to speak out against the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, there are times when protests cross a line—when they begin to call for violence, make Jewish students feel unsafe on campus, or block students’ access to education.

Most of the protests in support of Palestinian safety and freedom have been peaceful and should be treated as such. But that does not mean that there aren’t also individuals and groups who have been using targeted hate speech, endorsing the violence of Hamas, and creating a hostile environment for their Jewish peers.

The Department of Education should have a standard by which it can investigate potential acts of antisemitism and assess violations of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.

The Antisemitism Awareness Act simply requires the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism in its investigations and deliberations. Federal agencies have already been using this definition when investigating potential instances of antisemitism, and the Department of Education will continue to be able to carefully consider each case on its own merits under this legislation. It is also important to emphasize that this definition explicitly states that "criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic." As a result, protests criticizing Israel’s conduct in Gaza that are not also calling for the end of Jewish self-determination cannot be considered antisemitic under this definition.

Every student—regardless of their race, ethnicity, or membership in any other group—should be able to attend class and participate in student life without feeling threatened. This bill is not in opposition to the principles of free speech, but in tandem with it. This bill does not ban protests, nor criticism of the actions of the Israeli state. Instead, it encourages colleges to protect their Jewish students from hate speech and calls of violence.