House passes landmark college antisemitism bill amid anti-Israel protests

The House of Representatives passed a major antisemitism bill on Wednesday, which would crack down on antisemitism on college campuses as protests rage nationwide.

The bill, introduced by New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler passed in a bipartisan 320-91 vote, per The Hill, and will now go to the Senate. The legislation was opposed by 21 Republicans, and 70 Democrats.

The legislation seeks to make the Department of Education adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism when enforcing the 1964 Civil Rights Act on college campuses.

The alliance defines antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews." It also defines it as "[r]hetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

Examples of antisemitism include calling for the harming of Jewish people in the name of a radical or extremist view of religion, and accusing Jewish people of inventing and/or exaggerating the Holocaust.

The Combat Antisemitism Movement hailed the passage as a “momentous achievement” but said work remains to be done to get it through the Senate and to President Joe Biden‘s desk.

“While we celebrate this milestone, our work is far from over. We now urgently call upon Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to prioritize the Antisemitism Awareness Act's passage in the Senate,” CAM said.

The bill has been met with backlash from some members in both parties who claim the new legislation would limit free speech. Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz opposed the bill in a social media post, labeling it as a "hate speech bill."

"Antisemitism is wrong, but this legislation is written without regard for the Constitution, common sense, or even the common understanding of the meaning of words," Gaetz posted to X. "The Gospel itself would meet the definition of antisemitism under the terms of this bill!"

Democratic lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have also called for the passage of a related bill titled "Countering Antisemitism Act." The bill would combat antisemitism through the appointment of a new presidential advisor that would be charged with implementing the White House's coordinated strategy in dealing with antisemitism, according to NBC News.

“The effort to crush antisemitism and hatred in any form is not a Democratic or Republican issue,” Jeffries wrote to House Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday. “It’s an American issue that must be addressed in a bipartisan manner with the fierce urgency of now.”