Boozman, Scott, Rosen introduce Bipartisan Legislation to combat Antisemitism on college campuses

WASHINGTON––U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Tim Scott (R-SC) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which would direct the U.S. Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating antisemitic acts on campus. 

This bill ensures the Education Department has a clear definition of antisemitism when determining whether an antisemitic incident on campus crosses the line from free speech into harassing, unlawful or discriminatory conduct. 

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“Disturbing acts of antisemitism and violence increased on college campuses in the wake of Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel, it is more important than ever for universities to fulfill their responsibility to provide students with a safe learning environment,” said Boozman. “University leaders should move swiftly to hold individuals who take part in abhorrent, antisemitic behavior accountable and I am proud to support this commonsense legislation that gives them clear guidance and federal support.”

“In the continued aftermath of the October 7th attacks on Israel by Hamas and Iran, we have seen college campuses across our nation become hotbeds of antisemitism where Jewish students’ rights are being threatened,” 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. There can be no equivocating when it comes to the issue of anti-Jewish violence and harassment.” 

“Antisemitism is on the rise across the nation, particularly on college campuses, and Congress has a responsibility to do everything in its power to fight back against this hate,” said Rosen. “I’ll keep working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this bill passed and signed into law.” 

The Antisemitism Awareness Act is also cosponsored by Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Rick Scott (R-FL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Mike Crapo (R-ID), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ron Wyden (D-OR), John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Mark Warner (D-VA), John Barrasso (R-WY) and Gary Peters (D-MI).

Further, the Antisemitism Awareness Act is endorsed by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Christians for United Israel Action Fund, the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Federations of North America. Here’s what they are saying: 

“Since Hamas’s October 7th attack on Israel, there has been a dramatic increase in antisemitism on college campuses. We continue to see university administrators show they have little understanding of how to identify antisemitism. The Conference of Presidents urges swift passage of AntisemitismAwareness Act,” said COO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations Stephanie Hausner.

“Advancing this legislation is important in making American campuses safe and welcoming for all. We must defeat the vile cancer of antisemitism and defining it under US law is a critical step in that righteous effort,” said Christians for United Israel Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Hagee Parker.

“As Anti-Defamation League data shows, antisemitism is at crisis levels in the United States, creating the urgent need for decisive action. The AntisemitismAwareness Act makes clear that antisemitism, including anti-Zionist harassment, has no place in our schools or society and, importantly, reinforces the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism as a critical tool for the U.S. Department of Education,” said Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt.

 “According to American Jewish Committee's upcoming State of Antisemitism in America 2024 Report, three in ten American adults are either unsure of what antisemitism means or never heard the term. This number jumps for young Americans (ages 18-29): 41% of young Americans are unsure of what antisemitism means or never heard the term, while, at the same time, young American Jews (ages 18-29) are more likely to have experienced antisemitismin the past year than Jews ages 30 and older. These numbers show why it is critical to have a clear understanding of what antisemitism is and why it matters for American society because to even begin to solve the problem of antisemitism, there must be clarity about what it is and what it isn’t. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism is a clear and concise description of antisemitism in its various forms. AJC has supported efforts by both Republican and Democratic Administrations to use this definition at the Department of Education when investigating Title VI complaints,” said CEO of American Jewish Committee Ted Deutch.

“This bill provides a clear framework for identifying antisemitism, offering concrete examples to help distinguish between constitutionally protected speech and targeted attacks against Jewish individuals. Congress must act now to send a strong message that antisemitism has no place in our society,” said Jewish Federations of North America Vice President of Government Relations Karen Paikin Barall.

Congressmen Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05) are leading companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Click here for full text of the legislation.

Representative French Hill statement on House Financial Services Committee Chairmanship

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. French Hill (AR-02) released the following statement after the Steering Committee elected him to be the next Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.

"I am humbled that my colleagues have placed their trust in me to lead the House Financial Services Committee as their next Chairman. It was a privilege to join my exceptional colleagues, Representatives Andy Barr, Bill Huizenga, and Frank Lucas, in sharing our visions for this committee.

"I look forward to working alongside Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Majority Whip Tom Emmer, House Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain, and our whole leadership team as we work in tandem with President Trump and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott to bring common-sense economic policies that will produce a new era of American prosperity shared by all our citizens across our land."

Representative Hill introduces legislation to address America's housing crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. French Hill (R-AR) today introduced the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act, which is designed to reverse decades of ineffective housing policies and implement targeted reforms to improve access to affordable, quality housing for all Americans. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) recently introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

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Rep. Hill said, “Americans are struggling to find affordable housing to live in. For years, federal housing policy under the Biden-Harris Administration has been burdened by ineffective solutions and excessive bureaucracy. With the ROAD to Housing Act, we are taking real steps toward creating a housing market that benefits everyone—renters, homeowners, and families striving for stability. I thank my friend Senator Tim Scott for spearheading this legislation in the Senate and my colleagues Rep. John Rose, Rep. Dan Meuser, Rep. Scott Fitzgerald, Rep. Mike Lawler, and Rep. Zach Nunn for leading this legislation with me in the House.”

Sen. Scott said, “I’m the son of a single mother – growing up, we lived with family until we were able to rent a small place of our own. I know firsthand the importance of access to quality, affordable housing. Unfortunately, Democrats’ solution for years has been to spend trillions on programs that have yielded little results, especially for minorities as homeownership rates for African Americans have barely changed in over 50 years. Costs to buy a home and to rent continue to increase, and homelessness is at record levels. It’s past time for Congress to take serious action to reverse decades of failed housing policies and put all Americans on the road to housing.” 

Further Background:

ROAD To Housing Act: This legislation offers a wide-ranging approach to reforming federal housing policy. The key pillars of this bill are to increase access to affordable housing, promote opportunity, incentivize local solutions, and ensure proper oversight and accountability over federal housing programs. Rep. John Rose (R-TN), Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA), Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA) are original co-sponsors of this legislation. 

Boozman, Cramer, Capito and colleagues file bicameral amicus brief to overturn FHWA’s unlawful rmissions rule

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Committee on Environment and Public Works Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) led 27 of their colleagues in filing a bicameral amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit opposing a final rule from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that requires state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on the highway system and set declining targets for those GHG emissions. The brief requests that the Court uphold the April 2024, U.S. District Court decision finding that Congress did not grant the FHWA the authority to issue the rule.

The brief argues Congress explicitly debated providing the FHWA the necessary authority to issue this rule, but decided against doing so in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The FHWA then intentionally misconstrued congressional intent and used unrelated statutory authorities to attempt to justify issuing its GHG performance measure rule. The lawmakers also contend the rulemaking is inconsistent with recent Supreme Court decisions paring back executive branch overreach, and that FHWA is ignoring principles of federalism at the expense of state governments to further its own policy agenda.

“Congress considered, and ultimately rejected, providing [FHWA] with the authority to issue a GHG performance measure regulation, but [FHWA] contorted ancillary existing authorities to impose one anyway,” the members argued. “In doing so, [FHWA] impermissibly usurped the Legislative Branch’s authority and promulgated the GHG performance measure without statutory authority delegated by Congress.” 

“Put simply, when [FHWA] established a GHG performance measure regulation, it exceeded the powers Congress authorized. And it did so both at the expense of separation of powers and in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act,” the members continued. 

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), John Thune (R-SD), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) – as well as U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO-06), Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Rick Crawford (R-AR-01), Chairman of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee – also cosigned the brief. 

Full text of the amicus brief is available here.

Background:

Shortly after the rule was finalized, 21 state attorneys general, including Arkansas, filed litigation challenging the regulation. The U.S. District Court found the Biden administration rule to be illegal, but FHWA appealed the decision to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and it remains under further consideration. 

In April of this year, the U.S. Senate approved a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval overturning the rule by a vote of 53-47. The bipartisan measure was led by Cramer and cosponsored by Boozman, Ranking Member Capito and dozens of their colleagues.

Boozman, Casey, Scott Introduce Bill to Combat Antisemitism on College Campuses

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Bob Casey (D-PA) and Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced the Antisemitism Awareness Act. The bill will help address antisemitic sentiment and action on college campuses, which has been rising across the nation for years and spiked in the wake of Hamas’ terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, by requiring the U.S. Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism when enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws. 

“Colleges and universities have seen a disturbing trend of emboldened intimidation and hate towards Jewish students, faculty and others in the wake of Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel. This intolerable and horrifying behavior has no place in our academic community, and the Department of Education should move swiftly to hold accountable anyone promoting antisemitism on campus,” Boozman said.

“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 Antisemitism Awareness Act would make permanent the Department of Education’s usage of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which is a vital tool helping to clarify and identify the various manifestations of prejudice and hate against the state of Israel and the Jewish community. Since 2018, the Department of Education has used the IHRA definition when investigating violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

In addition to Boozman, Casey and Scott, the Antisemitism Awareness Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), James Lankford (R-OK), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rick Scott (R-FL), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Chris Coons (D-DE), Susan Collins (R-ME), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Katie Britt (R-AL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Ben Cardin (D-MD), John Barrasso (R-WY), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Cornyn (R-TX), Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).