ICYMI: U.S. Congressman Max Miller Joins Reps. Lawler, Gottheimer, and Moskowitz to Reintroduce the Antisemitism Awareness Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Max Miller (OH-07) released the following statement after reintroducing the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act co-led by Reps. Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), and Jared Moskowitz (FL-23). Senators Tim Scott (SC) and Jackie Rosen (NV) will be introducing companion legislation in the Senate in the coming weeks.
The Antisemitism Awareness Act will require the Department of Education to use the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism and its contemporary examples when enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws. Usage of the IHRA definition in this context is a key step in calling out antisemitism where it is and ensuring antisemitic hate crimes on college campuses are properly investigated and prosecuted. The Antisemitism Awareness Act builds on President Trump’s Executive Order from 2019 that sought to define antisemitism and prevent discrimination against those of the Jewish faith.
“Antisemitism has spread like wildfire on college campuses, especially in the wake of Hamas’s ruthless attack on Israel,” said Congressman Miller. “College students celebrate terrorists who brutally murder innocent civilians as ‘martyrs,’ and faculty members call Hamas’s assault ‘exhilarating.’ This abhorrent behavior underscores the clear need for federal policy to protect Jewish students on these unfriendly campuses. College campuses should be safe havens for learning, not nests of hatred.”
“The House overwhelmingly passed my bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act last session, and today I am proud to reintroduce this critical legislation in the new Congress. Since the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7th, 83% of college students said they witnessed or experienced antisemitism on campus,” said Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17). “This is unacceptable. No person should feel unsafe, targeted, or ostracized because of their faith – and the Antisemitism Awareness Act will stop it from happening. When I met with Jewish students at Columbia University last spring, their fear was palpable. Many wondered if they could ever feel safe on campus again. They deserve better—as does every student, and that’s what this bipartisan bill will accomplish.”
“Since the heinous October 7 attacks on Israel, we have seen an explosion of antisemitic violence and intimidation on college campuses and in communities across New Jersey and the nation. Far too many in our community no longer feel safe in their own homes or classrooms,” said Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “That’s why I’m reintroducing the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which will give state officials and law enforcement a clear framework for identifying and addressing antisemitism to hold harassers accountable. Our bipartisan bill adopts the most widely recognized definition of antisemitism in the world, already used by more than 40 countries and 35 states. Hate and discrimination have no place in New Jersey or the country, and we must act now to protect our Jewish students and families from threats, intimidation, and violence.”
“Last year, we saw horrific images across our nation’s college campuses — places like Columbia University, where I visited on Passover with my colleagues to stand with Jewish students who were being harassed. Our message was clear then and now: never should it be acceptable for students to feel unsafe walking to their classes simply because they’re Jewish, and it is imperative that we continue to fight antisemitism in every way, shape, and form, on both sides of the aisle,” said Rep. Jared Moskowitz (FL-23). “The working definition of antisemitism provided by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance is not at all controversial. It’s past time that the Department of Education adopt this definition through our bipartisan bill to protect Jewish students.”
Editor’s note regarding Congressman Miller:
Congressman Max Miller represents Ohio’s Seventh District which includes Medina and Wayne counties as well as parts of Cuyahoga and Holmes counties. Miller serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. The Republican sophomore members selected Miller as their representative to the Republican Steering Committee. He is a member of the Republican Study Committee and Main Street Caucus. Before joining Congress, Miller spent six years in the Marine Corps Reserves and served in several senior positions for President Donald Trump. Please visit http://maxmiller.house.gov for more information.
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