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House Passes Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 Despite Opposition from Some Democrats and Republicans

Published: 01 May 2024 at 20:50

Politics

The Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023, also known as HR 6090, was approved by the House of Representatives in a 320 to 91 vote, aiming to enhance protections for Jewish students against antisemitism. The bill strengthens the definition of antisemitism used in federal anti-discrimination laws, adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition. The legislation requires the Department of Education to apply this definition in enforcing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, affecting colleges and universities that receive federal funds. Some key lawmakers opposing the bill included notable figures like Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Matt Gaetz.

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House Republicans to Pressure Universities to Protect Jewish Students and Crack Down on Anti-Israel Protests


House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, plan to use oversight powers and funding pressure to ensure American universities protect Jewish students and address anti-Israel protests on campus. Committees including Education, Energy and Commerce, and Judiciary will investigate and scrutinize universities for violations of the Civil Rights Act. A bill requiring the use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism is up for a vote. The GOP's actions follow recent clashes and protests at Columbia University, with concerns about rising antisemitism on college campuses nationwide.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona addresses antisemitism on college campuses


During a Senate hearing, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona expressed concern over antisemitism on college campuses, stating it is unacceptable for Jewish students to face discrimination. He emphasized the Department of Education's commitment to enforcing Title VI in response to incidents like those at Columbia University.

U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism (Wikipedia)


On May 25, 2023, the administration of US President Joe Biden unveiled The U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. President Biden called his administration's plan the “most ambitious and comprehensive U.S. government-led effort to fight antisemitism in American history.”

Working definition of antisemitism (Wikipedia)


The working definition of antisemitism, also called the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism or IHRA definition, is a non-legally binding statement on what antisemitism is, that reads: "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." Accompanying the working definition, but of disputed status, are 11 illustrative examples whose purpose is described as guiding the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) in its work, seven of which relate to criticism of the Israeli government. As such, pro-Israeli organizations have been advocates for the worldwide legal adoption of the definition.The definition was developed during 2003–04 and first published on 28 January 2005 on the website of the European Union agency, the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC). The publication was made "without formal review", and remained a working draft, until November 2013 when the EUMC's successor agency, the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), removed it from its website in "a clear-out of non-official documents".The working definition was adopted by the IHRA Plenary (consisting of representatives from 31 countries) in Bucharest, Romania, on 26 May 2016. It was subsequently accepted by the European Parliament and other national and international bodies and employed for internal use by a number of governmental and political institutions. However, many such adoptions have either not referenced or excluded the examples, given the ongoing controversy. The controversy led to the creation of the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism and the Nexus Document, both of which expressly draw distinctions between antisemitism and criticism of Israel. The IHRA definition has been heavily criticised by academics, including legal scholars, who say that it stifles free speech relating to criticism of Israeli actions and policies. High-profile controversies took place in the United Kingdom in 2011 within the University and College Union, and within the Labour Party in 2018. The definition has been contested for weaknesses that critics say lend themselves to abuse, for obstructing campaigning for the rights of Palestinians, and for being too vague. Kenneth S. Stern, one of the original drafters, has opposed the weaponization of the definition on college campuses in ways that might suppress and limit free speech. The Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism was created partly in response to these objections.

Jewish Democrat Criticizes Sen. Sanders Over Aid to Israel Amid Conflict with Hamas


Amid a foreign aid package passing with funds for Israel, Rep. Jared Moskowitz criticized Sen. Bernie Sanders for not supporting amendments regarding aid to Israel and UNRWA. Sanders expressed concern over funding Netanyahu's actions in Gaza. Moskowitz questioned Sanders' stance on antisemitism. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defended Sanders, citing his dedication to Jewish values due to his family's Holocaust history. Moskowitz reciprocated, noting his own family's Holocaust losses, engaging in a public exchange.

Outrage over Anti-Israel Demonstrations on College Campuses with Support for Hamas


Fox News contributor Charlie Hurt criticizes Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and President Biden for labeling anti-Israel protests as peaceful, highlighting the danger for Jewish students at universities like Columbia and Yale. Hurt condemns students for openly supporting Hamas without understanding the history or consequences. Ocasio-Cortez praises the protests, while Jewish students face antisemitic chants and safety warnings. Biden denounces the antisemitism, and both political leaders face backlash over their stances on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

House Democrats urge Columbia University to disband anti-Israel encampment on campus


21 House Democrats, led by Reps Josh Gottheimer and Dan Goldman, called on Columbia University to dismantle an anti-Israel encampment, citing antisemitism and disruptions preventing students from attending classes. The university gave agitators a deadline to clear the encampment or face suspension. The Democrats criticized the administration for not addressing discrimination effectively, resulting in a hostile environment for Jewish students. Negotiations to disband the encampment failed after students and activists refused to agree, prompting the call for compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Anti-antisemitism (Wikipedia)


Anti-antisemitism is opposition to antisemitism or prejudice against Jews, and just like the history of antisemitism, the history of anti-antisemitism is long and multifaceted. According to historian Omer Bartov, political controversies around antisemitism involve "those who see the world through an antisemitic prism, for whom everything that has gone wrong with the world, or with their personal lives, is the fault of the Jews; and those who see the world through an anti-antisemitic prism, for whom every critical observation of Jews as individuals or as a community, or, most crucially, of the state of Israel, is inherently antisemitic". It is disputed whether or not anti-antisemitism is synonymous with philosemitism, but anti-antisemitism often includes the "imaginary and symbolic idealization of ‘the Jew’" which is similar to philosemitism.

International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (Wikipedia)


The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), until January 2013 known as the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance, and Research or ITF, is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1998 which unites governments and experts to strengthen, advance and promote Holocaust education, research and remembrance worldwide and to uphold the commitments of the Declaration of the Stockholm International Forum on the Holocaust. The IHRA has 34 member countries, one liaison country and seven observer countries.The organization was founded by the then sitting Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson in 1998. From 26–28 January 2000, the Stockholm International Forum on the Holocaust was held, bringing together high-ranking political leaders and officials from more than forty countries to meet with civic and religious leaders, survivors, educators, and historians. Nobel Prize laureate Elie Wiesel served as the Forum's honorary Chairman and Professor Yehuda Bauer was the senior Academic Advisor to the forum.The IHRA carries out internal projects, seeks to influence public-policy making on Holocaust-related issues and develops research focusing on lesser known aspects of the Holocaust. The IHRA adopted the Working Definition of Antisemitism in 2016 and has since promoted it. The IHRA has faced criticism that its definition conflates criticism of Israel or Zionism with antisemitism.

Jewish Columbia Professor Calls Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 'Agent of Chaos' for Backing Pro-Palestinian Protesters at Columbia University


A Jewish professor at Columbia University, Shai Davidai, criticized Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as an 'agent of chaos' for supporting pro-Palestinian demonstrators who have taken over Columbia University's campus. Davidai stated that Jewish students are scared and fleeing the university, feeling unsafe. The professor mentioned AOC's fellow pro-Palestinian squad members Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, accusing the university of prioritizing pro-Palestinian interests over Jewish safety. Columbia University President extended a deadline for anti-Israel protesters to disperse, leading to tensions between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian factions.

House Rules Committee Advances Package of Bills Providing Aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Allies


The House Rules Committee voted 9-3 to advance a package of bills providing aid to Israel, Ukraine, and other allies. Republican Reps Chip Roy, Thomas Massie, and Ralph Norman voted against the rule due to the lack of conservative border security provisions with aid to Ukraine. The full House will now vote on the rule and begin debate on the foreign aid bills, expected to pass with bipartisan support.

Alabama lawmakers advance expansion of 'Don't Say Gay' and ban Pride flags at schools


MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday advanced legislation to expand the states ban on teacher-led discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity in public school classrooms. The House of Representatives voted 74-25 for the bill, which now advances to the Alabama Senate. Its part of a wave of laws across the country that critics have dubbed Dont Say Gay. It would expand current Alabama law, which prohibits the instruction in elementary school, and take the prohibition through the eighth grade.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza


Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez accused Israel of genocide against the Palestinian people during a House speech, calling for the suspension of US weapons transfers to Israel. The congresswoman highlighted the famine in Gaza and criticized the Israeli government for blocking food aid. She urged President Joe Biden to stop facilitating mass killing and emphasized the responsibility to uphold democracy and human rights.

House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized by Democrats for denouncing anti-Israel protests at Columbia University


House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La, faced criticism from top Democrats, including Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, for condemning anti-Israel protests at Columbia University where he visited Jewish students amid safety concerns. New York Governor Kathy Hochul accused Johnson of politicizing the demonstrations and urged him to focus on addressing pressing issues like migration and border security.

Civil Rights Act of 1957 (Wikipedia)


The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was the first federal civil rights legislation passed by the United States Congress since the Civil Rights Act of 1875. The bill was passed by the 85th United States Congress and signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on September 9, 1957.The Supreme Court's 1954 ruling in the case of Brown v. Board of Education brought the issue of school desegregation to the fore of public attention, as Southern Democratic leaders began a campaign of "massive resistance" against desegregation. In the midst of this campaign, President Eisenhower proposed a civil rights bill designed to provide federal protection for African American voting rights; most African Americans in the Southern United States had been disenfranchised by state and local laws. Though the civil rights bill passed Congress, opponents of the act were able to remove or weaken several provisions via the Anderson–Aiken amendment and the O'Mahoney jury trial amendment, significantly watering down its immediate impact. During the debate over the law, Senator Strom Thurmond conducted the longest one-person filibuster in Senate history. Under the direction of Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas, the Senate passed a watered-down, yet also passable, version of the House bill which removed stringent voting protection clauses.Despite having a limited impact on African American voter participation, the Civil Rights Act of 1957 did establish the United States Commission on Civil Rights and the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. Congress would later pass far more effective civil rights laws in the form of the Civil Rights Act of 1960, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968.

Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Wikipedia)


The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 88–352, 78 Stat. 241, enacted July 2, 1964) is a landmark civil rights and labor law in the United States that outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. It prohibits unequal application of voter registration requirements, racial segregation in schools and public accommodations, and employment discrimination. The act "remains one of the most significant legislative achievements in American history".Initially, powers given to enforce the act were weak, but these were supplemented during later years. Congress asserted its authority to legislate under several different parts of the United States Constitution, principally its enumerated power to regulate interstate commerce under the Commerce Clause of Article I, Section VIII, its duty to guarantee all citizens equal protection of the laws under the Fourteenth Amendment, and its duty to protect voting rights under the Fifteenth Amendment.The legislation was proposed by President John F. Kennedy in June 1963, but it was opposed by filibuster in the Senate. After Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson pushed the bill forward. The United States House of Representatives passed the bill on February 10, 1964, and after a 72-day filibuster, it passed the United States Senate on June 19, 1964. The final vote was 290–130 in the House of Representatives and 73–27 in the Senate. After the House agreed to a subsequent Senate amendment, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by President Johnson at the White House on July 2, 1964.

Civil Rights Act of 1960 (Wikipedia)


The Civil Rights Act of 1960 (Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 86–449, 74 Stat. 89, enacted May 6, 1960) is a United States federal law that established federal inspection of local voter registration polls and introduced penalties for anyone who obstructed someone's attempt to register to vote. It dealt primarily with discriminatory laws and practices in the segregated South, by which African Americans and Mexican-American Texans had been effectively disenfranchised since the late 19th and start of the 20th century. This was the fifth Civil Rights Act to be enacted in United States history. Over an 85-year period, it was preceded only by the Civil Rights Act of 1957, whose shortcomings largely influenced its creation. This law served to more effectively enforce what was set forth in the 1957 act through eliminating certain loopholes in it, and to establish additional provisions. Aside from addressing voting rights, the Civil Rights Act of 1960 also imposed criminal penalties for obstruction of court orders to limit resistance to the Supreme Court's school desegregation decisions, arranged for free education for military members' children, and banned the act of fleeing to avoid prosecution for property damage. The Civil Rights Act of 1960 was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Defends Using Term 'Genocide' to Describe Israel's Treatment of Palestinians


Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defended her use of the term 'genocide' to describe Israel's treatment of Palestinians, citing the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza with 1.1 million people on the brink of famine. More than 32,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war began, and half of the 2.2 million population does not have enough food to eat, leading to a projected famine by mid-March to May 2024. Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the intentional blocking of food and humanitarian aid by Israeli leaders, leading to a forced famine affecting a million people, half of whom are children.

Civil Rights Act of 1991 (Wikipedia)


The Civil Rights Act of 1991 is a United States labor law, passed in response to United States Supreme Court decisions that limited the rights of employees who had sued their employers for discrimination. The Act represented the first effort since the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to modify some of the basic procedural and substantive rights provided by federal law in employment discrimination cases. It provided the right to trial by jury on discrimination claims and introduced the possibility of emotional distress damages and limited the amount that a jury could award. It added provisions to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protections expanding the rights of women to sue and collect compensatory and punitive damages for sexual discrimination or harassment.United States President George H. W. Bush had used his veto against the more comprehensive Civil Rights Act of 1990. He feared racial quotas would be imposed but later approved the 1991 version of the bill.

Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Wikipedia)


The Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 90–284, 82 Stat. 73, enacted April 11, 1968) is a landmark law in the United States signed into law by United States President Lyndon B. Johnson during the King assassination riots.Titles II through VII comprise the Indian Civil Rights Act, which applies to the Native American tribes of the United States and makes many but not all of the guarantees of the U.S. Bill of Rights applicable within the tribes. (That Act appears today in Title 25, sections 1301 to 1303 of the United States Code).Titles VIII and IX are commonly known as the Fair Housing Act, which was meant as a follow-up to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (this is different legislation than the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, which expanded housing funding programs). While the Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibited discrimination in housing, there were no federal enforcement provisions. The 1968 act expanded on previous acts and prohibited discrimination concerning the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, and since 1974, sex. Since 1988, the act protects people with disabilities and families with children. Pregnant women are also protected from illegal discrimination because they have been given familial status with their unborn child being the other family member. Victims of discrimination may use both the 1968 act and the 1866 act's section 1983 to seek redress. The 1968 act provides for federal solutions while the 1866 act provides for private solutions (i.e., civil suits). The act also made it a federal crime to "by force or by threat of force, injure, intimidate, or interfere with anyone... by reason of their race, color, religion, or national origin, handicap or familial status."Title X, commonly known as the Anti-Riot Act, makes it a felony to "travel in interstate commerce...with the intent to incite, promote, encourage, participate in and carry on a riot." That provision has been criticized for "equating organized political protest with organized violence."

Antisemitism (Wikipedia)


Antisemitism (also spelled anti-semitism or anti-Semitism) is hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jews. This sentiment is a form of racism, and a person who harbours it is called an antisemite. Primarily, antisemitic tendencies may be motivated by negative sentiment towards Jews as a people or by negative sentiment towards Jews with regard to Judaism. In the former case, usually presented as racial antisemitism, a person's hostility is driven by the belief that Jews constitute a distinct race with inherent traits or characteristics that are repulsive or inferior to the preferred traits or characteristics within that person's society. In the latter case, known as religious antisemitism, a person's hostility is driven by their religion's perception of Jews and Judaism, typically encompassing doctrines of supersession that expect or demand Jews to turn away from Judaism and submit to the religion presenting itself as Judaism's successor faith—this is a common theme within the other Abrahamic religions. The development of racial and religious antisemitism has historically been encouraged by the concept of anti-Judaism, which is distinct from antisemitism itself.There are various ways in which antisemitism is manifested, ranging in the level of severity of Jewish persecution. On the more subtle end, it consists of expressions of hatred or discrimination against individual Jews, and may or may not be accompanied by violence. On the most extreme end, it consists of pogroms or genocide, which may or may not be state-sponsored. Although the term "antisemitism" did not come into common usage until the 19th century, it is also applied to previous and later anti-Jewish incidents. Notable instances of antisemitic persecution include the Rhineland massacres in 1096; the Edict of Expulsion in 1290; the European persecution of Jews during the Black Death, between 1348 and 1351; the massacre of Spanish Jews in 1391, the crackdown of the Spanish Inquisition, and the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492; the Cossack massacres in Ukraine, between 1648 and 1657; various anti-Jewish pogroms in the Russian Empire, between 1821 and 1906; the Dreyfus affair, between 1894 and 1906; the Holocaust by Nazi Germany during World War II; and various Soviet anti-Jewish policies. Historically, most of the world's violent antisemitic events have taken place in Christian Europe. However, since the early 20th century, there has been a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents across the Arab world, largely due to the surge in Arab antisemitic conspiracy theories, which have been cultivated to an extent under the aegis of European antisemitic conspiracy theories.In the contemporary era, a manifestation known as "new antisemitism" was identified. This concept argues the exploitation of the Arab–Israeli conflict by a large number of concealed antisemites, who may attempt to gain traction or legitimacy for their antisemitic hoaxes by portraying themselves as criticizing the Israeli government's actions. Likewise, as the State of Israel has a Jewish-majority population, it is common for antisemitic rhetoric to be manifested in expressions of anti-Israeli sentiment, though this is not always the case and such expressions may sometimes be part of wider anti–Middle Eastern sentiment without an exclusively antisemitic motive.Due to the root word Semite, the term is prone to being invoked as a misnomer by those who incorrectly assert that it refers to racist hatred directed at "Semitic people" in spite of the fact that this grouping is a historical race concept and thus obsolete. Likewise, such usage is erroneous; the compound word antisemitismus was first used in print in Germany in 1879 as a "scientific-sounding term" for Judenhass (lit. 'Jew-hatred'), and it has since been used to refer to anti-Jewish sentiment alone.

Democratic Majority for Israel PAC Endorses Challengers Against Far-left Squad Members Amid Controversy Over Israel Comments


The Democratic Majority for Israel PAC endorsed George Latimer and Wesley Bell to challenge Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush, members of the controversial Squad, over their contentious comments on Israel. Bowman and Bush faced criticism for anti-Israel rhetoric and actions, with Bowman leading Latimer in a recent poll among Democratic primary voters in the 16th Congressional District.

Calls for Columbia University President to Resign Over Handling of Campus Protests


Minouche Shafik, Columbia University's president, faces calls for resignation over her handling of campus protests related to the Israel-Hamas war, with critics citing crackdowns on student demonstrations and failure to address antisemitism. The speaker of the House of Representatives and various students and professors are among those demanding her resignation. Previous resignations of university presidents at University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University over similar issues have heightened the scrutiny on college administrators' responses to such controversies.

UCLA protester says 'Zionist thugs' released rats into anti-Israel encampment


UCLA anti-Israel protester Vincent Doehr told CNN on Wednesday that "Zionist thugs" released rats into their encampment on UCLA's campus. An anti-Israel demonstrator told CNN on Wednesday that "Zionist thugs" attacked their UCLA encampment and released "rats" as they were trying to protest, following hours of violence at the college campus. UCLA "encampment media liaison" and political science Ph.D. student Vincent Doehr said protesters repeatedly warned the college about harassment and death threats against students before violence broke out Tuesday night.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Supports Pro-Palestinian Demonstrators at Columbia University


Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has backed 'nonviolent' pro-Palestinian demonstrators protesting U.S. support for Israel at Columbia University. The demonstrators, known as the Gaza Solidarity Encampment, faced threats of police intervention by Columbia President Minouche Shafik. AOC condemned the potential use of police force on peaceful student protests as a dangerous escalation. Shafik initially set a deadline for the encampment to disperse but extended it after the group committed to reducing the number of tents and non-student participants.

Civil Rights Act of 1875 (Wikipedia)


The Civil Rights Act of 1875, sometimes called the Enforcement Act or the Force Act, was a United States federal law enacted during the Reconstruction era in response to civil rights violations against African Americans. The bill was passed by the 43rd United States Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1875. The act was designed to "protect all citizens in their civil and legal rights", providing for equal treatment in public accommodations and public transportation and prohibiting exclusion from jury service. It was originally drafted by Senator Charles Sumner in 1870, but was not passed until shortly after Sumner's death in 1875. The law was not effectively enforced, partly because President Grant had favored different measures to help him suppress election-related violence against blacks and Republicans in the Southern United States.The Reconstruction era ended with the resolution of the 1876 presidential election, and the Civil Rights Act of 1875 was the last federal civil rights law enacted until the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. In 1883, the Supreme Court ruled in the Civil Rights Cases that the public accommodation sections of the act were unconstitutional, saying Congress was not afforded control over private persons or corporations under the Equal Protection Clause. Parts of the Civil Rights Act of 1875 were later re-adopted in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Act of 1968, both of which cited the Commerce Clause as the source of Congress's power to regulate private actors.

Civil Rights Act (Wikipedia)


Civil Rights Act may refer to several acts of the United States Congress, including:Civil Rights Act of 1866, extending the rights of emancipated slaves by stating that any person born in the United States regardless of race is an American citizenCivil Rights Act of 1871, prohibiting race-based violence against African Americans (see also Enforcement Acts, three Acts in 1870–71)Civil Rights Act of 1875, prohibiting discrimination in "public accommodations", which was found unconstitutional in 1883 as Congress could not regulate conduct of individualsCivil Rights Act of 1957, establishing the Civil Rights CommissionCivil Rights Act of 1960, establishing federal inspection of local voter registration pollsCivil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin by federal and state governments as well as public placesCivil Rights Act of 1968, prohibiting discrimination in sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, creed, and national originCivil Rights Act of 1990, a bill that would have made it easier for plaintiffs to win civil rights cases; was vetoed by President George H. W. BushCivil Rights Act of 1991, providing the right to trial by jury on discrimination claims and introducing the possibility of emotional distress damages, while limiting the amount that a jury could award

GOP infighting over Speaker Mike Johnson's international aid package


Tensions arose in the House of Representatives as conservative lawmakers confronted Speaker Mike Johnson over his $95 billion foreign aid proposal, leading to heated exchanges between different Republican factions. Lawmakers like Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, and Tim Burchett expressed opposition to Johnson's plan, which includes separate bills for aid to Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific. Rep Derrick Van Orden confronted the group, including Gaetz, with verbal jabs, while Reps Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie are also considering ousting Johnson. The Republicans are divided over the significant aid package, similar in cost to the Senate's previous funding for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal warns that the ongoing Israel-Hamas war is dividing the Democratic Party ahead of critical elections


Rep. Pramila Jayapal expressed concerns that the conflict in Gaza is fracturing the Democratic coalition, with progressive voters pushing for a ceasefire and accusing Israel of targeting Palestinian civilians. President Biden faces challenges of protest votes in key states like Michigan and Wisconsin, crucial for his reelection. While Biden has shifted tone towards Israel recently, tensions remain high, with only 18% of Democrats approving of Israeli military operations. Efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians are complicated amidst the conflict, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticizing Netanyahu and calling for new elections.

Civil Rights Act of 1866 (Wikipedia)


The Civil Rights Act of 1866 (14 Stat. 27–30, enacted April 9, 1866, reenacted 1870) was the first United States federal law to define citizenship and affirm that all citizens are equally protected by the law. It was mainly intended, in the wake of the American Civil War, to protect the civil rights of persons of African descent born in or brought to the United States.The Act was passed by Congress in 1866 and vetoed by U.S. President Andrew Johnson. In April 1866, Congress again passed the bill to support the Thirteenth Amendment, and Johnson again vetoed it, but a two-thirds majority in each chamber overrode the veto to allow it to become law without presidential signature.John Bingham and other congressmen argued that Congress did not yet have sufficient constitutional power to enact this law. Following passage of the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868, Congress ratified the 1866 Act in 1870.

House Passes Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 Despite Opposition from Some Democrats and Republicans House Passes Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 Despite Opposition from Some Democrats and Republicans House Passes Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 Despite Opposition from Some Democrats and Republicans House Passes Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 Despite Opposition from Some Democrats and Republicans House Passes Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 Despite Opposition from Some Democrats and Republicans House Passes Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 Despite Opposition from Some Democrats and Republicans

SOURCES

NBC

House to vote on antisemitism bill amid campus arrests

NBC

Washington Post

House passes divisive antisemitism bill as GOP denounces campus protests

Washington Post

Daily Mail

House passes bill to expand definition of antisemitism on campus

Morgan Phillips

Fox News

House votes to expand definition of antisemitism amid anti-Israel demonstrations across US

Fox News

CNN

House passes antisemitism bill as Johnson highlights campus protests | CNN Politics

Clare Foran

Business Insider

These 70 House Democrats and 21 Republicans voted against a bill to crack down on antisemitism on college campuses

Business Insider

The Guardian

US House votes to pass antisemitism bill in response to campus protests

https://www.theguardian.com/profile/martin-pengelly

NY Post

House passes bill to beef up protections against antisemitism as campus chaos rages on

NY Post

PANORA

House Republicans to Pressure Universities to Protect Jewish Students and Crack Down on Anti-Israel Protests

PANORA

PANORA

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona addresses antisemitism on college campuses

PANORA

Wikipedia

U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism

Wikipedia

Wikipedia

Working definition of antisemitism

Wikipedia

PANORA

Jewish Democrat Criticizes Sen. Sanders Over Aid to Israel Amid Conflict with Hamas

PANORA

PANORA

Outrage over Anti-Israel Demonstrations on College Campuses with Support for Hamas

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House Democrats urge Columbia University to disband anti-Israel encampment on campus

PANORA

Wikipedia

Anti-antisemitism

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International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance

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PANORA

Jewish Columbia Professor Calls Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 'Agent of Chaos' for Backing Pro-Palestinian Protesters at Columbia University

PANORA

PANORA

House Rules Committee Advances Package of Bills Providing Aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Allies

PANORA

PANORA

Alabama lawmakers advance expansion of 'Don't Say Gay' and ban Pride flags at schools

PANORA

PANORA

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza

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PANORA

House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized by Democrats for denouncing anti-Israel protests at Columbia University

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Wikipedia

Civil Rights Act of 1957

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Civil Rights Act of 1964

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Wikipedia

Civil Rights Act of 1960

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PANORA

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Defends Using Term 'Genocide' to Describe Israel's Treatment of Palestinians

PANORA

Wikipedia

Civil Rights Act of 1991

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Wikipedia

Civil Rights Act of 1968

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Antisemitism

Wikipedia

PANORA

Democratic Majority for Israel PAC Endorses Challengers Against Far-left Squad Members Amid Controversy Over Israel Comments

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Calls for Columbia University President to Resign Over Handling of Campus Protests

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UCLA protester says 'Zionist thugs' released rats into anti-Israel encampment

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PANORA

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Supports Pro-Palestinian Demonstrators at Columbia University

PANORA

Wikipedia

Civil Rights Act of 1875

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Civil Rights Act

Wikipedia

PANORA

GOP infighting over Speaker Mike Johnson's international aid package

PANORA

PANORA

Rep. Pramila Jayapal warns that the ongoing Israel-Hamas war is dividing the Democratic Party ahead of critical elections

PANORA

Wikipedia

Civil Rights Act of 1866

Wikipedia