Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, and John Hickenlooper alongside U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act to address antisemitic actions on college campuses. The legislation would require the U.S. Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism when enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws.
“We have a responsibility to confront prejudice everywhere,” said 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.”
“Antisemitism has no place on our college campuses – nor anywhere in our society,” said Hickenlooper. “We’re committed to fighting against antisemitism and hate of all forms.”
“Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on October 7 led to a dramatic increase in antisemitism on college campuses,” said 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 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.”
The senators’ legislation comes as Jewish Americans experience an increase in antisemitic incidents nationwide, particularly in the months following Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel on October 7th. Bennet and Hickenlooper have condemned the rise of antisemitic incidents in the U.S. and the displays of antisemitism on college campuses. In October, the senators called on the U.S. Department of Homeland and Federal Bureau of Investigation to protect Jewish Americans from antisemitic attacks.
The text of the bill is available HERE.