Bill

Bill > S558


US S558

US S558
Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025


summary

Introduced
02/13/2025
In Committee
02/13/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

119th Congress

Bill Summary

A BILL To provide for the consideration of a definition of antisemitism set forth by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance for the enforcement of Federal antidiscrimination laws concerning education programs or activities, and for other purposes.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a formal definition of antisemitism for use in enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws, specifically in educational settings. The bill adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which was originally developed in 2016 and includes contemporary examples of antisemitic behavior. The legislation aims to address the rising incidents of antisemitism in U.S. schools and universities by providing the Department of Education with a clear framework for investigating discrimination based on Jewish ancestry or ethnic characteristics. While the bill does not create new legal authorities, it instructs the Department of Education to consider the IHRA definition when investigating potential violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. The bill explicitly protects First Amendment rights and does not expand the Secretary of Education's existing powers. It reflects the U.S. government's national strategy to counter antisemitism, emphasizing the importance of understanding, identifying, and addressing antisemitic discrimination, with the ultimate goal of improving safety and security for Jewish communities and reversing the normalization of antisemitism.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (48)

Tim Scott (R)* Jim Banks (R),  John Barrasso (R),  Michael Bennet (D),  Richard Blumenthal (D),  Cory Booker (D),  John Boozman (R),  Katie Boyd Britt (R),  Maria Cantwell (D),  Shelley Moore Capito (R),  Bill Cassidy (R),  Susan Collins (R),  Chris Coons (D),  John Cornyn (R),  Catherine Cortez Masto (D),  Tom Cotton (R),  Kevin Cramer (R),  Mike Crapo (R),  Steve Daines (R),  Joni Ernst (R),  John Fetterman (D),  Deb Fischer (R),  Ruben Gallego (D),  Kirsten Gillibrand (D),  Lindsey Graham (R),  Chuck Grassley (R),  Maggie Hassan (D),  John Hickenlooper (D),  Cindy Hyde-Smith (R),  James Justice (R),  Mark Kelly (D),  James Lankford (R),  Cynthia Lummis (R),  David McCormick (R),  Ashley Moody (R),  Alex Padilla (D),  Gary Peters (D),  Pete Ricketts (R),  Jacky Rosen (D),  Mike Rounds (R),  Adam Schiff (D),  Chuck Schumer (D),  Rick Scott (R),  Elissa Slotkin (D),  Dan Sullivan (R),  John Thune (R),  Mark Warner (D),  Ron Wyden (D), 

Last Action

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Committee consideration and Mark Up Session held. (on 04/30/2025)

bill text


bill summary

Loading...

bill summary

Loading...
Loading...