Congressional Compromise Averts Government Shutdown with Short-Term Funding Agreement
Congressional Compromise Averts Government Shutdown with Short-Term Funding Agreement (Photo: Ryanx7/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0))

The House of Representatives passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act on Wednesday, sparking outrage among MAGA conservatives who claim the bill could potentially make parts of the Bible illegal. The legislation, which aims to bolster protections for Jewish college students amidst a surge of antisemitism on campuses nationwide, cleared the lower chamber with a vote of 320-91, despite opposition from dozens of members of both parties.

The bill would require the Department of Education to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when investigating potential violations of civil rights law. The IHRA defines antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews," with rhetorical and physical manifestations directed toward Jewish individuals, their property, and religious facilities.

However, the bill has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans who argue that it could stifle constitutionally protected free speech and is overly broad in its definition of antisemitism. Some conservatives have taken issue with the IHRA definition, which includes "claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel," suggesting that this could lead to parts of the Bible being deemed illegal.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) expressed her opposition to the bill, stating, "Antisemitism is wrong, but I will not be voting for the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 (H.R. 6090) today that could convict Christians of antisemitism for believing the Gospel that says Jesus was handed over to Herod to be crucified by the Jews."

  Similarly, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) echoed Greene's concerns, writing, "Antisemitism is wrong, but this legislation is written without regard for the Constitution, common sense, or even the common understanding of the meaning of words."

While the bill does classify the idea that Jewish people were involved in killing Jesus as antisemitic, it does not explicitly make the Bible illegal. The legislation would require the Education Department to consider the IHRA definition when assessing whether an allegedly discriminatory practice was motivated by antisemitic intent.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), defended the legislation during the House debate, stating, "[It] is absurd to oppose this on the grounds that it somehow limits free speech. Calling for death to Jews is not protected speech." Lawler introduced the bill with roughly 60 co-sponsors, including 13 Democrats.

However, some lawmakers, such as Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), who is Jewish, argued that the bill could chill constitutionally protected speech, particularly criticism of Israel that does not constitute unlawful discrimination. The American Civil Liberties Union and other progressive groups also opposed the legislation, contending that federal law already prohibits antisemitic discrimination and harassment by federally funded entities.

Supporters of the bill, like Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), who is also Jewish, maintained that the legislation was necessary to combat the spread of Jew-hatred on college campuses. Gottheimer stressed that the bill allows criticism of Israel but does not permit calls for the destruction or elimination of the Jewish state.