[[{“value”:”The” Antisemitism Awareness Act,” which requires the Education Department to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, was overwhelmingly passed in the House of Representatives.
The Recount reported that” House passes bill to require the Education Department to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism when enforcing national anti-discrimination laws.”
The bill passed by a 320- 91 vote.
187 Republicans and 133 Democrats voted in favor of the bill.
21 Republicans and 70 Democrats voted against the bill.
” Critics argue this definition of antisemitism is too broad and could lead to censorship, including on college campuses”, The Recount stated.
This definition of antisemitism, according to critics, is too large and could lead to censorship, even on college campuses. https ://t.co/MkSoyjWFnJ
— The Recount ( @therecount ) May 1, 2024
From the Associated Press:
The House passed legislation on Wednesday that would give the Department of Education a broad definition of antisemitism in order to enforce anti-discrimination laws. This is the most recent response from lawmakers to a global student protest movement over the Israel-Hamas war.
The proposal, which was supported by some bipartisan support, would codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism in Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, a federal law prohibiting discrimination based on shared ancestry, racial characteristics, or national origin. It then moves to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain.
The bill’s passage was only the most recent reverberation in Congress from the university campuses ‘ protest movement. In the midst of the contentious social debate over Israel’s handling of the conflict in Gaza, republicans in Congress have condemned the protests and demanded action to stop them. Since the start of the war in October, more than 33, 000 Palestinians have died as a result of Hamas ‘ dangerous terrorist attack on Jewish citizens.
The bill has received a lot of negative feedback, and opponents claim that it is a blatant violation of the First Amendment.
A bill to define antisemitism will be put to the vote today in the House, with the intention to enact more severe antisemitism prosecutions. Beyond violating the First Amendment, the bill has a problem: It does n’t mention the definition of antisemitism anywhere in the bill! Why”? Rep. Thomas Massie ( R- KY ) questioned.
” To find the officially adopted definition of antisemitism, one must go to this website below. Not only is the definition that listed, but there are also specific examples of racist speech. Are those examples included in the law when well”? Massie continued.
To find the constitutionally adopted definition of antisemitism, one must go to this website below.
There are also certain examples of racist speech, as well as the definition that is listed there.
Are those examples also included in the law? https: //t. co/wbKGNsAGoD
— Thomas Massie ( @RepThomasMassie ) May 1, 2024
” Do you agree with all of these examples of antisemitism? Should those who say these things in all kinds of contexts face punishment in America? I think no. I will vote against this ill thought-out, illegal bill, according to Massie.
Do you agree with all of these examples of antisemitism? Should those who say these things in all kinds of contexts face punishment in America? I think no. I’ll vote against this ill thought-out, illegal bill. pic. twitter.com/L3AI5MCFGw
— Thomas Massie ( @RepThomasMassie ) May 1, 2024
These images were shared by Massie from the website:
” I abhor antisemitism, but this bill is blatantly illegal and an appalling attack on the First Amendment. In light of this bill, Jewish policies would not be able to be compared to Nazi policies. It would make it against the law to refer to Israel as racist. It would be against the law to accuse an American of being more devoted to Israel than to the United States. Although all of those deeds may be foolish or repulsive, the First Amendment definitely protects them. Congressional Republicans are currently rushing to repeal the First Amendment in an effort to pass a “hate speech ban” in the vein of Charlie Kirk.
” Rioters should be arrested. Crazed Israel-hating students who enter buildings and refuse to leave should be expelled. But I stand with Rep. Thomas Massie: This bill is an affront to the Constitution and must never pass”, he added.
In response to campus anti- Israel protests, the House is rushing to to vote on a fresh bill, HR 6090. This innovative bill would actually define” Antisemitism” so the federal government can sue, prosecute, or sanction more people, businesses, and universities for supposed violations of…
— Charlie Kirk ( @charliekirk11 ) May 1, 2024
You should really question any Republican supporters of the bill because it is a scandal. In reality, the bill would label Jewish government criticism as “antisemitic.” Any notion that Americans should be legally punished in any way for criticizing any government, perhaps a foreign government, is real madness and un-American in the extreme, according to Matt Walsh.
You should really question any Republican supporters of the bill because it is a disgrace. In reality, the legislation would refer to criticism of the Jewish government as “antisemitic.” Any notion that Americans should be legally penalized in any way for criticizing any government — … https ://t.co/ulPLPfkqCx
— Matt Walsh ( @MattWalshBlog ) May 1, 2024
” Republicans overwhelmingly voted for a bill to decriminalize criticism of the Jewish government,” the statement read. If you “apply twice standards” to Israel’s government or charge it with genocide, you will be guilty of hate speech if the bill is passed. This is unquestionably one of the most absurd pieces of legislation I’ve always seen,” Walsh said.
The majority of Republicans only voted for a bill to decriminalize criticism of the Jewish government. If the bill is passed, you will be innocent of hate speech if you “apply twice standards” to Israel’s government or make an accusation of genocide. This is actually one of the most … https ://t.co/5SPRT0I0jk pic. twitter.com/2k6n9A3hiY
— Matt Walsh ( @MattWalshBlog ) May 1, 2024
” Jesus was a Jew. Jesus’s followers were Jews who believed he was Messiah. Jews were the conspirators who wanted Jesus to be killed. That next sentence was declared unlawful by the House of Representatives yesterday. It is much past time to reign the government in”, Spike Cohen commented.
If you do n’t believe me, read it for yourself.
H. R. 6090: https ://t.co/H7e4VLO QxV
IHRA working definition of antisemitism: https ://t.co/GYvtMfHHPN pic. twitter.com/xNwwGxHghd
— Spike Cohen ( @RealSpikeCohen ) May 2, 2024
* Spike Cohen X Post images
” I’m glad that my bill, the Antisemitism Awareness Act, just passed the House of Representatives 320 to 91. This bill has large, bipartisan support and will begin the process of cracking down on the antisemitism we’ve seen run rampant on college campuses across America”, Rep. Mike Lawler ( R- NY), one of the bill’s co- sponsors, said.
WATCH:
The Antisemitism Awareness Act, which I support, merely passed the House of Representatives 320 to 91. This bill has strong, bipartisan support, and it will begin a campaign to combat the antisemitism that has permeated college campuses across America. pic. twitter.com/1Dik83m5d0
— Congressman Mike Lawler ( @RepMikeLawler ) May 1, 2024
” I’m a New Yorker, I’m against antisemitism but for real what the f**k are you doing? Are you attempting to put me in jail like a Christian? Do n’t you have better things to do in between the open borders, high inflation, and crime? one critic responded.
” No, and those who push that nonsense are utterly absurd and stupid. The bill does no criminalize Christianity — I’m Catholic. It’s gives modern examples of probable antisemitism. Calling all Jews Christ killers is a form of antisemitism. Believing in the gospel is not”, Lawler replied.
No, and those who insist on that are utterly absurd and foolish. The bill does no criminalize Christianity — I’m Catholic. It’s gives modern examples of possible antisemitism. Calling all Jews Christ killers is a form of antisemitism. It’s hardly believing in the gospel.
— Congressman Mike Lawler ( @RepMikeLawler ) May 2, 2024
” You lie! It is VERY clearly stated in the IHRA ( International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance ) definition you included in the bill! YOU PUT INTO THE BILL”! Daniel McAdams, the Director of the Ron Paul Institute, commented.
You lie! It is VERY clearly stated in the IHRA ( International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance ) definition you included in the bill! YOU PUT INTO THE BILL! https ://t.co/B4rh4yYVyo pic. twitter.com/hAAaM9Sosp
— Daniel McAdams ( @DanielLMcAdams ) May 2, 2024
” If you call all Jews Christ Killers, yes, that is an example of something that could be racist. Yes, that is an example of something that might be racist if you use that as a justification for discrimination against Jews or Israel. It in no way bans or criminalizes the Bible”, Lawler replied.
By the way, the US government has no authority under the US Constitution to outlaw anti-Semitism, despite the fact that all observant people find it to be horrible. We have free speech to combat dirty speech and the First Amendment to protect ALL speech. That is what America is all about,” says-it”! McAdams said.
By the way, the US government has no authority under the US Constitution to outlaw anti-Semitism, despite the fact that all wise people find it to be horrible. We have free speech to combat dirty speech and the First Amendment to protect ALL speech. That is what America is all about!
— Daniel McAdams ( @DanielLMcAdams ) May 2, 2024
Per NBC News:
The bill’s prospects in the Senate are questionable.
Asked whether the Senate would take up the legislation, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D- N. Y., told reporters earlier Wednesday that” we have n’t seen what the House is sending us yet”.
Rep. Mike Lawler, R- N. Y., introduced the republican legislation, which received backing from Democrat moderates who are supporters of Israel amid the country’s war with Hamas.
” In every generation, the Jewish people have been scapegoated, harassed, evicted from their homeland and murdered”, Lawler said in a floor speech before the vote.
” The Jewish people need our support today”, he said. ” They need action now”.
In response to the pro-Palestinian protests, Republicans are attempting to launch investigations into antisemitism on college campuses. Following Hamas ‘ attack on Israel on October 7, the legislation’s most recent version was introduced in late October, but it was not discussed until this week.
” When I spoke at Columbia next week, I told administrators that we need deeds, no words, to protect Jewish students”, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D- N. J., a co- author of the legislation, said in a statement Wednesday. This bill is a necessary first step in the fight against hate that we so desperately need.
In a letter Monday to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R- La., Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D- N. Y., wrote that” there is nothing scheduled on the floor this week that would accomplish the practical, intelligent strategies outlined by the Biden administration” to combat antisemitism.”}]] [[{“value”:”
The House of Representatives passed the “Antisemitism Awareness Act” with a resounding majority. This requires that the Education Department adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism.
The Recount reported that “House passes bill mandating the Education Department use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism in enforcing federal laws against discrimination.”
The bill was passed with a vote of 320 to 91.
187 Republicans and 130 Democrats voted for the bill.
21 Republicans and 70 Democrats voted in opposition to the bill.
The Recount reported that “Critics argue that this definition of antisemitism could lead to censorship on college campuses, as well as other places.”
Critics say this definition is too broad and could result in censorship on college campuses. https://t.co/MkSoyjWFnJ
The Recount (@therecount), May 1, 2024
The Associated Press:
The House passed legislation on Wednesday that would define antisemitism in a wider sense for the Department of Education, which enforces anti-discrimination law. This is the latest response by lawmakers to a national student protest movement against the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The proposal, which was passed 320-91, with some bipartisan support would codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism into Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1965, a federal antidiscrimination act that prohibits discrimination based upon shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, as well as national origin. The proposal now moves to the Senate, where its fate is still uncertain.
The protest movement that has swept across university campuses was reflected in Congress by the action taken on the bill. Republicans in Congress denounced the demonstrations and demanded that action be taken to stop them. This thrust university officials in the center of a heated political debate about Israel’s conduct in the Gaza war. Since the war began in October, more than 33,000 Palestinians were killed after Hamas launched a terrorist attack on Israeli civilians.
The bill has been widely criticized and opponents claim it is a flagrant violation to the 1st Amendment.
“Today, the House will vote on legislation to define antisemitism in order to increase prosecutions for activity on campus. The bill is not only in violation of the 1st Amdt, but it also lacks a definition of antisemitism! Rep. Thomas Massie, R-KY, asked: “Why?”
To find the legal definition of antisemitism you must visit this website. There are also specific examples of antisemitic language. “Are those examples also part of the law?” Massie asked.
This website provides the legal definition of antisemitism.
There are also specific examples of antisemitic language.
Are those examples made part of the law as well?https://t.co/wbKGNsAGoD
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) May 1, 2024
Do you agree with these examples of antisemitism?” Should people in America be prosecuted if they say these things in any context? I don’t think so. Massie said, “This is a poorly-conceived unconstitutional measure and I will vote against it.”
Do you agree with these examples of antisemitism? Should people in America be prosecuted if they say these things in any context? I don’t think so. This is an unconstitutional, poorly conceived bill. I will vote against it. pic.twitter.com/L3AI5MCFGw
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) May 1, 2024
Massie shared the following images from the website.
“I abhor the antisemitism. But this bill is flagrantly inconstitutional. It is an appalling assault on the First Amendment. This bill would make comparing Israeli policies with Nazi policies illegal. It would be illegal to call Israel racist. It would be illegal to accuse a US citizen of being more loyal towards Israel than the United States. All of these behaviors may be stupid or repugnant but they are unquestionably protected by First Amendment. Charlie Kirk said that Republicans in Congress are now rushing to gut First Amendment to pass a ban on ‘hate speech’ similar to the one used in Europe.
“Rioters must be arrested.” Students who are irrationally anti-Israel and take over buildings should be expelled. I agree with Rep. Thomas Massie that this bill is an affront against the Constitution and should not be passed,” he said.
The House is moving quickly to vote on HR 6090 in response to campus anti Israel protests. This new bill would define “antisemitism”, so that the federal government could sue, prosecute or sanction more people for alleged violations of…
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) May 1, 2024
“The bill is a travesty and you should seriously ask any Republican who supports this.” The legislation would label criticism of Israel’s government as “antisemitic.” Matt Walsh said that the idea that Americans should be penalized for criticizing any government, even a foreign one, is un-American and pure madness.
The bill is a disgrace, and you should question any Republican who supports this. The legislation would in fact label criticism of the Israeli government as “antisemitic.” Any notion that Americans should be legally penalized in any way for criticizing any government –… https://t.co/ulPLPfkqCx
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) May 1, 2024
“The overwhelming majority of Republicans voted in favor of a bill that criminalizes criticisms of the Israeli Government. If the bill passes, you will be guilty if you “apply double standards” to the government of Israel and accuse it of genocide. This is one of the most absurd pieces of legislation that I’ve seen,” Walsh said.
The overwhelming majority of Republicans voted in favor of a bill that criminalizes criticisms of Israel’s government. If the bill passes, you will be guilty if you “apply dual standards” to Israel’s government or accuse it genocide. This is honestly one of the most… https://t.co/5SPRT0I0jk pic.twitter.com/2k6n9A3hiY
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) May 1, 2024
“Jesus is a Jew.” Jesus’ followers were Jews who thought he was the Messiah. The Jews were the ones who conspired with each other to kill Jesus. Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed a bill to make this third sentence illegal. Spike Cohen said, “It is past time to rein in the government.”
If you don’t trust me, read for yourself.
H.R. 6090: https://t.co/H7e4VLOQxV
IHRA working definition of antisemitism: https://t.co/GYvtMfHHPN pic.twitter.com/xNwwGxHghd
— Spike Cohen (@RealSpikeCohen) May 2, 2024
Images from Spike Cohen’s X Post
“I am proud that my bill the Antisemitism Awareness Act just passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 320 to 91. This bill has bipartisan support, and will begin to crack down on the antisemitism that we’ve seen on college campuses in America.
WATCH:
My bill, the Antisemitism Awareness Act just passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 320 to 91. This bill has bipartisan support, and will begin to crack down on the antisemitism that we’ve seen on college campuses in America. pic.twitter.com/1Dik83m5d0
— Congressman Mike Lawler (@RepMikeLawler) May 1, 2024
“I’m from New York, I’m antisemitic but what are you doing?” Are you trying me, a Christian, in jail? “Don’t you think there are better things to be doing?” asked a critic.
“No, and those who promote that nonsense really are idiotic and irrational. The bill does NOT criminalize Christianity – I am Catholic. It gives examples of antisemitism in the present. Antisemitism is when you call all Jews Christ killers. Lawler responded that believing in the gospel was not antisemitism.
No, and those who promote this nonsense are irrational and idiotic. The bill does criminalize Christianity – I’m Catholic. It gives examples of antisemitism in the present. Antisemitism is when you call all Jews Christ killers. Believing the gospel is not.
— Congressman Mike Lawler (@RepMikeLawler) May 2, 2024
“You lie! You put the definition of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance into the bill. It is CLEARLY stated! You put into the bill!” Daniel McAdams commented, Director of the Ron Paul Institute.
You lie! You lied! You put it in the bill! https://t.co/B4rh4yYVyo pic.twitter.com/hAAaM9Sosp
— Daniel McAdams (@DanielLMcAdams) May 2, 2024
“If you call Jews Christ killers, then that is an antisemitic act. If you use this as a basis for discriminating against Jews or Israel, then yes, it could be antisemitic. It does not criminalize or ban the Bible,” Lawler responded.
“By-the-way, while antisemitism is abhorrent to all rational people, the US Constitution does not give the government the authority to outlaw it. We have the First Amendment, which protects ALL speech. We also have free speech in order to combat ugly speech. McAdams said, “That is what America is about!”
While anti-Semitism is a terrible thing, the US Constitution does not give the government the authority to ban it. We have the First Amendment, which protects ALL speech. We also have free speech in order to combat ugly speech. This is the essence of America!
— Daniel McAdams (@DanielLMcAdams) May 2, 2024
Per NBC News
The bill’s prospects for passage in the Senate is unclear.
When asked whether the Senate will take up the bill, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York told reporters earlier on Wednesday that “we haven’t seen what the House has sent us yet.”
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) introduced the bipartisan bill, which received support from moderate Democrats who are supporters Israel in the midst of the war with Hamas.
Lawler, in a speech on the floor before the vote, said that “in every generation, the Jewish People have been scapegoated and harassed. They have also been evicted from the homeland they call home and murdered.”
He said, “The Jewish people needs our support right now.” “They need to act now.”
In response to the pro Palestinian protests, Republicans are looking to launch investigations into antisemitism in college campuses. The current version was introduced late October, after Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, but it wasn’t brought to the floor of the House until this week.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), a coauthor of the bill, said: “When I spoke to administrators at Columbia last Thursday, I told them that we needed deeds and not words to protect Jewish students.” “This bill is an important step in taking the action that we so desperately need against hate.”
Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Minority Leader, wrote in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Monday that “there are no scheduled floor actions this week that will accomplish the concrete and thoughtful strategies outlined the Biden administration to combat antisemitism.”
“}]]
