Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on H.R. 6090-- Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023. In light of recent events across the globe and here in the United States, where anti-Semitic attacks and hate crimes have risen, this bipartisan bill is an attempt to codify the definition of ``antisemitism'' Specifically, this bill would require the Department of Education to take the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism into account when determining if an action or practice that violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was motivated by antisemitic intent. The IHRA defines antisemitism as the following: ``Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.'' In its list of examples of anti-Semitic conduct, the IHRA includes ``[d]enying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor,'' and ``[d]rawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.'' While there is both support and opposition for this bill it is important to highlight the issues and concerns. Namely, there is a concern that this bill will undermine free speech by codifying a singular definition of antisemitism.…”