Responding to a wave of pro-Palestine protests – and, in some cases, antisemitic incidents – at colleges and universities around the country, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill co-authored by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) today to codify a broad definition of antisemitism in anti-discrimination investigations.
The bill, the Antisemitism Awareness Act, would require the Education Department to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism in Title VI proceedings. It passed the House on a 320-91 vote, with most (though not all) no votes coming from Democrats.
“When I spoke at Columbia last week, I told administrators that we need deeds, not words, to protect Jewish students,” Gottheimer said on the House floor before the vote. “Colleagues, I’m making the same ask of you. This bill is a critical step we can take to stand against hate. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join me in supporting this legislation.”
In New Jersey’s House delegation, two out of 11 members were opposed: Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing), a frequent opponent of the House’s recent spate of pro-Israel bills, and Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown).
“This bill, while potentially well-intentioned, could be used to limit speech in a way that runs contrary to our values as Americans and doesn’t include the common sense critical steps that I’ve long advocated for like surging resources to houses of worship to help protect congregations against targeted hate,” Kim said in a statement.
But most other New Jersey representatives did not agree with that criticism; along with Gottheimer, Reps. Donald Norcross (D-Camden), Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield), and Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis) were also listed among the bill’s 61 co-sponsors. In his remarks on the floor, Gottheimer said worries about First Amendment protections were overblown.
“Let me clear up any confusion: this bill protects the First Amendment,” the congressman said. “It allows criticism of Israel. It doesn’t allow calls for the destruction or elimination of the Jewish state. Even more, our universities have a Title VI obligation to stamp out harassment on the basis of race, color, or national origin.”