House plans to vote on campus antisemitism bill amid spreading anti-Israel protests

The House will take up a vote on an antisemitism bill next week following the rise of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish rhetoric on university and college campuses.

The Rules Committee plans to meet on Monday to take up several bills, including the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023. It was introduced by Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), who joined several House Republicans at Columbia University to condemn pro-Palestinian protesters and call on the institution’s president, Minouche Shafik, to step down.

“It is time for President Shafik to resign in disgrace,” Lawler said on Wednesday. “She has lost control of this campus. She has lost control of this institution. And after listening to her comments inside, it is clear that she has no intention of getting this university under control and ensuring the safety and well-being of every student.”

Under the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023, it would require the Education Department to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism when enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws on college campuses.

The bill has 42 co-sponsors, with 12 being House Democrats. Reps. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), two of the bill’s co-sponsors, visited Columbia University on Monday to meet with Jewish students and condemn the “double standard” being applied to protecting Jewish students as opposed to other minorities.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) joined Lawler and other New York Republicans on Wednesday to blast Shafik’s inability to maintain order on campus. While Johnson gave his speech, a large crowd of pro-Palestinian protesters were shouting, “We can’t hear you,” while others shouted “free Palestine” and anti-Israel chants.

“Enjoy your free speech,” Johnson said in response.

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The House members’ visits to Columbia come the week after the House passed a foreign aid package that included $26.38 billion to Israel. The bill had mixed support from Democrats and Republicans, with 58 members voting against it.

The foreign aid vote put a target on Johnson’s back while he awaits a possible motion to vacate, particularly after the Ukraine aid bill did not receive a majority of the Republican majority. It was a violation of the Hastert rule, which dictates speakers should not bring legislation to a floor vote unless it has majority support from the majority party.