A total of 70 Democrats and 21 Republicans voted against the Antisemitism Awareness Act on Wednesday, signaling opposition to the bipartisan bill.
While the bill was passed by 320 votes to 91, some opponents in the House expressed concerns that it would hamper free speech and lead to censorship issues. The bill is aimed at combating antisemitism on college campuses.
The Context
It comes amid a number of pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses in response to Israel's war with Hamas. This has led to concerns about rising cases of antisemitism.
Israel has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to The Associated Press, citing the Hamas-run health ministry. The war started after Hamas' deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, when about 1,200 people were killed and 250 hostages taken.
More than 100 protesters who set up a "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" at Columbia University were arrested on April 18, for instance
What We Know
Newsweek has compiled a list of all the members of Congress who voted against the legislation.
Republicans
Andy Biggs
Lauren Boebert
Josh Brecheen
Eric Burlison
Michael Cloud
Andrew Clyde
Mike Collins
Elijah Crane
Warren Davidson
Byron Donalds
Matt Gaetz
Paul Gosar
Marjorie Taylor Greene
Harriet Hageman
Clay Higgins
Wesley Hunt
Anna Paulina Luna
Thomas Massie
Ralph Norman
Matthew Rosendale
Chip Roy
Democrats
Gabe Amo
Jake Auchincloss
Becca Balint
Donald Beyer, Jr.
Earl Blumenauer
Suzanne Bonamici
Jamaal Bowman
Cori Bush
Tony Cardenas
Andre Carson
Troy Carter
Greg Casar
Ed Case
Sean Casten
Joaquin Castro
Yvette Clarke
James Clyburn
Jasmine Crockett
Danny Davis
Diana DeGette
Mark DeSaulnier
Lloyd Doggett
Dwight Evans
Bill Foster
Valerie Foushee
Maxwell Frost
John Garamendi
Jesus Garcia
Sylvia Garcia
Al Green
Val Hoyle
Jonathan Jackson
Sara Jacobs
Pramila Jayapal
Henry Johnson, Jr.
Robin Kelly
Ro Khanna
Andy Kim
Barbara Lee
Summer Lee
Teresa Leger Fernandez
Zoe Lofgren
Jennifer McClellan
Betty McCollum
Morgan McGarvey
James McGovern
Gwen Moore
Jerrold Nadler
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Ilhan Omar
Chellie Pingree
Mark Pocan
Katie Porter
Ayanna Pressley
Delia Ramirez
Linda Sanchez
Mary Gay Scanlon
Janice Schakowsky
Robert Scott
Melanie Stansbury
Mark Takano
Bennie Thompson
Rashida Tlaib
Jill Tokuda
Lauren Underwood
Nydia Velazquez
Maxine Waters
Bonnie Watson Coleman
Jennifer Wexton
Nikema Williams
Views
New York Republican Representative Mike Lawler introduced the legislation. He said in a statement, "it's critical that we crack down on antisemitic hate within our own country."
"I'm thankful for the bipartisan support of the Antisemitism Awareness Act and for the support from a wide range of Jewish organizations that are standing up, endorsing this legislation, and saying enough is enough," he said.
Newsweek contacted Lawler by email to gauge his views on the opposition to the bill. This story will be updated if he responds.
The American Civil Liberties Union opposed the bill. It told members: "Federal law already prohibits antisemitic discrimination and harassment by federally funded entities.
"[The bill] is therefore not needed to protect against antisemitic discrimination; instead, it would likely chill free speech of students on college campuses by incorrectly equating criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism."
What's Next?
The bill will now go to the Senate.
Update 5/2/24, 3:45 a.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information and background.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Kate Plummer is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. Her focus is on U.S. politics and national affairs, and ... Read more
