Senator Coons, colleagues introduce bill to address antisemitism on college campuses

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced legislation to address antisemitic sentiment and actions on college campuses, which has been rising across the nation for years and spiked in the wake of Hamas' terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. The Antisemitism Awareness Act would require the U.S. Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism when enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws.

"No one should be attacked or made to feel afraid because of whom or how they worship," said Senator Coons. "More action is clearly needed to ensure Jewish students are protected from antisemitic hatred that has been rising in our communities and across the country over recent years and has spiked since the horrific terrorist attacks of October 7. Adopting the IHRA's definition of antisemitism will ensure that those promoting bigotry on college campuses are held accountable, and this bill gives the Department of Education the clear guidance it needs to do its job."

"Hamas' horrific terrorist attack on October 7 led to a dramatic increase in antisemitism on college campuses," said Senator Casey. "Amidst this appalling increase, we must do everything we can to protect Jewish students on college campuses. This bill will make sure that going forward, the Education Department will take action against all forms of antisemitic discrimination."

"Our nation's institutions of higher learning have become hotbeds of antisemitism, especially in the wake of the brutal attacks against Israel and innocent civilians by Hamas and Iran," said Senator Scott. "It's critical the Department of Education has the tools and resources it needs to investigate antisemitism and root out this vile hatred wherever it rears its ugly head."

In addition to Senators Coons, Casey, and Scott, the Antisemitism Awareness Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.).

The Antisemitism Awareness Act would direct the Department of Education to use the IHRA definition of antisemitism, an important tool in addressing and identifying the various manifestations of prejudice and hate against the state of Israel and the Jewish community. This bill would codify the Department of Education's existing practice of taking into account the IHRA definition when investigating violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Senator Coons is Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS) and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.