21 Republican Representatives opposed the House bill to broaden the definition of antisemitism

A House bill to expand the definition of antisemitism passed with a clear majority but still met opposition from 21 Republicans and 70 Democrats.

In all, 320 representatives voted in favor of the bill, most of them Republicans. However, though the bill was largely focused on recent pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses, some provisions caused Republicans to oppose it. One of the foremost concerns was the First Amendment protection of free speech, which some Republicans claimed was violated by the bill.

Here are the 21 Republicans who voted against the bill for various reasons: Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Thomas Massie (R-KY), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), Eric Burlison (R-MO), Michael Cloud (R-TX), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Mike Collins (R-GA), Elijah Crane (R-AZ), Warren Davidson (R-OH), Byron Donalds (R-FL), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Wesley Hunt (R-TX), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Chip Roy (R-TX), and Matthew Rosendale (R-MT).

The main contention for many was a line that classified antisemitism as “using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus).” Republicans such as Greene and Gaetz interpreted it as classifying the Gospels as antisemitic.

“Antisemitism is wrong, but I will not be voting for the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 (H.R. 6090) today that could convict Christians of antisemitism for believing the Gospel that says Jesus was handed over to Herod to be crucified by the Jews,” Green said in a post on X. “Read the bill text and contemporary examples of antisemitism like #9.”

“This evening, I will vote AGAINST the ridiculous hate speech bill called the ‘Antisemitism Awareness Act,’” Gaetz said. “Antisemitism is wrong, but this legislation is written without regard for the Constitution, common sense, or even the common understanding of the meaning of words. The Gospel itself would meet the definition of antisemitism under the terms of this bill!”

“The bill says the definition of antisemitism includes ‘contemporary examples of antisemitism’ identified by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA),” he continued. “One of those examples includes: ‘…claims of Jews killing Jesus…’ The Bible is clear. There is no myth or controversy on this. Therefore, I will not support this bill.”

He then provided Biblical verses in an effort to back up his argument: Acts 4:10, Acts 3:14–15, and 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16.

Others, such as Massie, opposed the bill on free speech grounds.

“Do you agree with all of these examples of antisemitism? Should people in America be prosecuted for saying these things in all contexts? I think not,” he said. “This is a poorly conceived unconstitutional bill and I will vote no.”

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Massie also reposted Gaetz’s statement of opposition in approval.

The 21 Republicans were joined by 70 Democrats who opposed the bill for other reasons, mainly its classification of strong criticism of Israel as antisemitism.