Hickenlooper, Bennet, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Combat Antisemitism on College Campuses

WASHINGTON - Yesterday, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Michael Bennet joined Senators Bob Casey and Tim Scott to introduce the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act, a bill to help address antisemitic sentiments and actions on college campuses. The legislation would require the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism when enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws.

"Antisemitism has no place on our college campuses - nor anywhere in our society," said Senator Hickenlooper. "We're committed to fighting against antisemitism and hate of all forms."

"We have a responsibility to confront prejudice everywhere," said Senator Bennet. "As antisemitism rises here at home, this bipartisan legislation will ensure that the federal government has the resources it needs to investigate and penalize antisemitic discrimination on our college campuses."

"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."

Jewish Americans have experienced an increase in antisemitic incidents nationwide, particularly in the months following Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel on October 7th. Hickenlooper and Bennet have condemned the rise of antisemitic incidents in the U.S. and the displays of antisemitism on college campuses. This October, the senators called on U.S. Department of Homeland (DHS) Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray to protect Jewish Americans from antisemitic attacks.

Full text of the bill available HERE.

###