House approves bipartisan antisemitism bill amidst campus arrests

The House passed a bipartisan bill on Wednesday aimed at combating antisemitism as pro-Palestinian protests continue to stir controversy on college campuses across the United States. The Antisemitism Awareness Act, which passed in a 320-91 vote, mandates that the Education Department adopt the definition of antisemitism used by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance to enforce anti-discrimination laws.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Mike Lawler, emphasized the importance of supporting the Jewish community, stating, “The Jewish people need our support now. They need action now.” However, the bill faced opposition from both progressive and far-right lawmakers, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union, who criticized the definition of antisemitism as “overbroad.”

Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal argued that the bill was being used as a political ploy to weaponize antisemitism, while Rep. Sara Jacobs expressed concerns that the legislation would stifle First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly. Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene also voted against the bill, citing a disagreement with an example of antisemitism listed in the definition.

The bill’s prospects in the Senate remain uncertain, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stating that they have not yet received the legislation from the House. As the debate over the bill continues, activists working to counter antisemitism stress the importance of addressing hatred and discrimination in a bipartisan manner to ensure the safety and well-being of Jewish communities.