The U.S. House passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act, aiming to codify the IHRA definition of antisemitism into federal civil-rights law. Supporters say it strengthens protections, while critics warn it could chill free speech, especially criticism of Israel.
The GOP-led House of Representatives recently passed legislation intended to formalize a federal interpretation of antisemitism, marking a major step in the ongoing national debate over how the United States defines and responds to anti-Jewish discrimination.
The bill, passed with a significant bipartisan majority of 320–91, seeks to codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism into Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964—a foundational federal statute that prohibits discrimination in educational programs and other institutions receiving federal funding.
This move comes during a period of heightened political tension and widespread national attention on campus protests linked to the Israel–Hamas war, which erupted in October 2023 following the Hamas attack on Israel. Over the past several years, but especially after October 7, demonstrations, encampments, and counter-protests have spread across colleges and universities, often leading to accusations that administrators have failed to protect Jewish students from harassment or intimidation. Supporters of the bill argue that adopting a standardized federal definition of antisemitism will give the Department of Education clearer guidance when evaluating civil-rights complaints and determining whether conduct—especially on college campuses—constitutes discrimination on the basis of shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics. Opponents, however, caution that the bill risks conflating political expression with discriminatory action, setting the stage for potential First Amendment conflicts.
