Bipartisan bill establishes the definition of antisemitism to better enforce anti-discrimination laws regarding education programs and activities
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema cosponsored the Antisemitism Awareness Act – bipartisan legislation strengthening the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws by encouraging the use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism.
The Sinema-backed bill – introduced by Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) – allows America to better crack down on acts of antisemitism found in educational programs, activities, and other settings.
“Antisemitism has no place in our country. Our bipartisan bill ensures American law correctly defines antisemitism – raising awareness, keeping Jewish communities safe and secure, and better cracking down on this dangerous form of hate,” said Sinema.
The bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act establishes in federal law the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, including contemporary examples of antisemitism.
The legislation requires the Department of Education to consider the IHRA definition when investigating potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act motivated by antisemitic intent in education settings.
In 2022, following Sinema’s urging, the Administration announced a task force countering antisemitism that involves inter-agency collaboration tasked with developing a national strategy to counter world-wide antisemitism by raising understanding about antisemitism and the threat it poses to the Jewish community and all Americans.
The Sinema-backed Antisemitism Awareness Act builds on the Senator’s long-standing commitment to supporting Jewish Arizonans and Americans and rejecting the harmful discrimination of antisemitism.
Click HERE to read the legislation text.