Transcripts For CSPAN U.S. 20240703

Adopt a broad definition of antisemitism use the International Holocaust mbrance alliance to enforce anrimination laws on College Campuses. And tied to some of the schism is perceived as the expression of genes that can be expresse as hatred, and drawn comparisons temporary is really policy to that of the nazis. This bill comes up as several lleges and universities have been dealing with proinian demonstrations that have forced some to cancel in class learning for student safety. 21 republicans joined 70 democrats voting against the legislation. The bill now is headed to the senate. Turbing trend of antisemitic trends in schools and campuses across the country. Antisemitic harassment on these University Campuses is not a completely new phenomenon. As early as 2005 the commission on human rights said antisemitism is a serious problem. A pew research that experience with antisemitism is more prevalent. A Brandeis Center found that antisemitism was pervasive on College Campuses with 54 on 55 campuses saying they experienced antisemitism during the 20132014 year. In 2021, Brandeis Center for law conducted a survey of jewish students finding that they felt unsafe while on campus. These fears are justified. The catalog of antisemitic harassment in americas institutions of Higher Learning is there for everybody to see. The incidents have increased following october 7, 2023 attacks perpetrated by hamas and allied groups. In late october, 2023, jewish students were forced to shoulder inside a library as propalestinian protestors were banging on doors and windows with the punch of terrifying them. On october 26, 2023, antiisrael assaulted multiple jewish students at Tulane University in new orleans. November 3, 2023, harvard law student and other protestors physically and verbally attacked a firstyear jewish student at the Harvard Business cool. From october 7 until january of 2024, the department of education has launched 51 investigations into complaints of antidiscrimination in k12 schools and colleges and universities. January 16, 2024 until today the department has launched 45 investigations into schools and collegees these investigations overwhelming concern antisemitic conduct in these schools. On april 23, 2024, the Education Department launched an investigation into Columbia University and we all know what is happening there right now. Hundreds of antiisrael protestors have occupied columbias universitys west lawn and disrupted campus life and creating a hostile life for jewish students. Hundreds were arrested fortress passing after repeated warnings to vacate the area only to be returning to columbia. A rabbi at Columbia University advised students to leave campus because the university cannot keep them safe. They revoked a jewish because the imrufort said they couldnt ensure his safety. Speaker johnson and chairwoman foxx went to Columbia University and were greeted by antiisrael from the river to the sea, palestine will be free. What that calls for is the eradication of the jewish people. We know that expression is and who are ent in our society and it is going on hourly on our College Campuses. Nevada is enough. The surge antisemitism and especially since october 7 must not continue. Long past time that congress act to protect Jewish Americans from the scourge of antisemitism around our country. This expresses the sense of congress that discrimination against jews may violate title 6 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 based on on race, color or National Origin or preponderanceof the evidence ancestry or ethnic characters. The bill requires the department of education to take into account the National Holocaust definition of antisemitism and whether this has occurred. The ihra concerns a framework for schools, colleges and universities to apply to police anticement imdiscrimination. The definition is widely accepted and vital tool for identifying and addressing discriminatory conduct. It has been adepositted by 31 states. This bill is the type of legislation needed to protect Jewish Americans from harassment and attacks for simply being who they are. I urge all members to support this important bill. And i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler i yield myself such time as i may consume. I devoted much of my life to combatting antisemitism and im in tune to bigotry and threats aimed at jewish people. There are needs to fight antisemitism and i am a deeply committed zionist. But someone who is a long time champion of protecting freedom of speech, i must oppose this misguided bill. While there is much i agree with, its core provision would put a thumb in the scale of one pick definition of antisemitism to the exclusion of all others to be used when department of education assesses claims of antisemitism on campus. This definition adopted ihra, includes examples of antisemitism. The problem is that these examples may include protected speech in some context particularly with respect to criticism of the state of israel. To be clear, i disagree with the sentiments expressed in those examples and criticism does take the form of antisemitism. Many jewish students feel no longer safe on campus and some colleges havent done nearly enough to protect them. While this may have useful context, by codifying them into title 6 this chills constitutional speech. Speech alone does not constitute Unlawful Discrimination and speech into title 6, the bill sweeps too broadly. As the a krmp lu notes, if this legislation were to become law, colleges and universities who want to avoid title with the potential loss of federal funding could suppress protecting speech criticizing israel and supporting palestinians. It could be sense soaring political speech. Ihras definition lead author opposes codifying the definition that he wrote, ihra definition for this reason. Vigorous enforcement of the federal civil rights law does not depend on defining antisemitism or racism. Codifying one definition to the exclusion of all other deficient anythings could undermine civil rights law because antisemitism evolves over time and future conduct that is widely understood may no longer be the statutory definition. We cannot ignore the context this is being rushed to the floor and deep divisions on College Campuses across the country. Much of this activity whether you agree with the tenthments constitutes legally protected speech and expression. Some participants shamefully have exhibited antisemitic conduct and the department of education will likely investigate them, consulting the eye ray definition and other definitions in the process. They do not need this legislation to help them with inquiries. Some spheundz have crossed the line into vandalism and willful disruption of campus life and will face legal consequences. There is no excuse for bigotry, threats or violence directed at anyone, anywhere and it is imperative that we confront the scourge of antisemitism and congress can help, but this legislation is not the answerment instead of engaging of political theatrics that do not do anything concrete, we need to put our money where the mouth is. Last year, the Biden Administration outlined a comprehensive National Strategy to count erranty semitism which is increasing Enforcement Actions in the department of education. President bidens budget called for 27 increase in funding for that office. If my republican colleagues were serious, they would have fully funded that request. Instead, they bragged about proposing to slash funding by 25 , funding to enforce anti the laws against antisemitism and they bragged about slashing funding by 25 and funding be kept flat despite the increase in antisemitism complaints. If my republicans were serious, we would codify the National Strategy instead of talking about definitions. If my republicans were serious, they would have spoken after neonazis in charlotteville said and President Trump declared they were quote very fine people on both sides at that rally. And just last week, former trump called it a peanut compared to recent protests and we heard crickets from the republicans. We hear nothing from our republican colleagues when some conservative repeat antisemitic tropes. I say to my republican friends for too long your selective silence has been deafening. If you mean what you say here today and believe that the threats that jewish students face on campuses is unjust and combatting semitism is more than an talking point, i be sech you. Move beyond posturing and actually help us protect jewish students. Fully funding this antisemitism and nation students dise serve no less. By contrast, this legislation threatens freedom of speech, one of our most cherished values and does nothing to combatanty semitism. I urge members to oppose the bill and i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york. Remembers are reminded to direct their remarks to the chair. The gentleman from california is recognizedded. Mr. Mcclintock i suggest the gentleman turn on his television and watch what is going on right now. I yield five minutes to the author of this bill, mr. Loller of lawler of new york. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized law law mr. Lawler i would like to respond to my colleague from new york and his misguided remarks, in 2018, the gentleman was a cosponsor of the antisemitism awareness act, which adopted the very definition that he just objected to. A cosponsor of h. R. 5924, the definition that would be adopt i antisemitism is a certain perception of jews which may be expressed as hatred toward jews, physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed towards jewish and nonjewish and their property towards institutions and religious facilities. He was a cosponsor of that bill. H. R. 6090 which i introduced which has 59 coresponsors adopts the eye ray working definition and its contemporary examples. The definition is antisemitism is a certain perception of jews which may be expressed as hatred towards jews. Rhetorical are directed towards jewish individuals or their property and jewish institutions and religious facilities. It is the same definition and yet somehow he is opposed to it. Femmely fundamentally, some of my colleagues on the left are electing politics to get in the way of doing what is right. The gentleman from new york is a graduate of Columbia University. And yet, couldnt muster the courage to take the subway north to stop by and call out the antisemitism that is run ingram pant at Columbia University. It is exactly why this bill is necessary today. ,. So i rise in support of my bill, the antisemitism awareness act. I want to thank my colleague, congressman Josh Gottheimer from new jersey, for his courage in leading on this issue. In every generation the jewish people have been scapegoated, harassed, evict interested their homeland, and murdered. Many of us remember the holocaust as the most recent largescale instance of this, but it was hardly the first in the jewish peoples long history of persecution. Prior to october 7 it may have seemed like we were making progress in fighting antisemitism, especially in the united states, a prime example, jewish students werent afraid to attend classes on their College Campuses. Yet today we hear calls for intifada ring out on school grounds. We see jewish students being physically prevent interested going to class. Rioters chanting death to israel and death to america and so much more. In the u. S. Jews account for only 2. 4 of the population. And globally they make up. 2 of the worlds population. The jewish people need our support now. They need action now. They need to know they have a place in our country now. They cannot fight answer semitism alone. And they antisemitism alone. They shouldnt have to. This bill requires the department of education to use the ihra working definition of antisemitism and contemporary examples when enforcing title 6 violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Codifying a single definition of antisemitism will help the department of education and school add emptiers administrators who have been feckless, clearly identify instances of antisemitism, including safety of all students including jewish students. Some opponents may try to make the argument this imposes a restrictions on constitutional right to free speech. Its not true. First of all, a constitutional protection is in the bill. It clearly states nothing in this act shall be construed to diminish or infringe upon any right protected under the First Amendment to the constitution of the united states. Additionally speeches already protected under the Civil Rights Act. When the speech turns into harassment or other prohibited action antiaction is motivated by antisemitism, that is when it becomes illegal conduct. Right now without a clear definition of antisemitism, the department of ed and College Administrators are having trouble discerning whether conduct is antisemitic or not, whether the activity we are seeing crosses the line to antisemitic harassment. Other opponents to the bill say they would rather see a different bill tackling this. That no the speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for an additional minute. Mr. Lawler that no reason, no political cover to vote against another measure is helpful. I ask my colleagues who would prefer other solutions, consider the good it will do for the jewish students. Yes, keep pushing for more change in the future. We need to hold these institutions accountable. My bill has bipartisan support, 59 cosponsors. Dozens of jewish advocacy groups, including the adl, a. J. C. , and good of israel. It is absurd to oppose this on the grounds that it somehow limits free speech. Calling for death to jews is not protected speech. It is antisemitic. And the fact that we have some of the highest ranking jewish officials in america refusing to defend the Jewish Community because of politics is a disgrace. It is shameful. And it is pathetic. And anyone who votes against this bill because they would rather put political expediency and electoral politics ahead of anything else the speaker pro tempore additional 30 seconds. Mr. Lawler has no business being a member of congress. Never again is now. And we must act. That is our responsibility. I would remind everyone when you cosponsor a bill that accomplishes the same thing, nothing has changed. Yet now we need to backtrack. All because of politics. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from california reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler mr. Speaker, the gentlemans remarks are land russ. Are slap kerrous. The bill i cosponsored two years ago is a different bill t did not exclude let me read from this bill. The use of alternative definitions of antisemitism impairs enforcement efforts by adding multiple standards and may file phil to identify many of the modern man anyfess case of antisemitism. Unquote that. Was not, that is nonsense. It was not in the bill whenever that was. I think it was about seven or eight years ago. So the two bills are different. Second, i oppose this bill because it infringes on freedom of speech. And there are jewish groups such as reconstruction judaism, and j. Street that oppose this bill for the same reason. They are not antisemitic. They are jewish groups that support the bill. There are jewish groups that oppose the bill. I have been a supporter of israel and zionism and opponent of antisemitism all my life. Ive been active in zionist organizations ever since i was if high school. To say that anyone who votes against this bill is supporting antisemitism is a disgrace. There are differences of opinion that occur on this floor from time to time. Honest differences. Someone who opposes this bill may think that it infringes on freedom of speech. Not. Someone who opposes this bill may note that the author of the ira definition this ihra defines in law says dont codify it. The author, kenneth stern, said this is a good working definition that may indication antisemitism. So are the other two. But it should not be codified into law. Because that could make, depending on the circumstances, free speech illegal. The author of the ihra definition said that. So there may be legitimate differences of opinion between those who support this bill and those who oppose this bill. But to say anyone who opposes this bill supports antisemitism is a disgraceful slander. I reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Mcclintock mr. Speaker, im pleased to yield two minutes to the gentleman from tennessee, mr. Kustoff. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from tennessee is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Kustoff thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank the gentleman. I do rise in support of the antisemitism awareness act. We all know that since hamas brutal and barbaric attack on israel on october 7, 2023, we have seen an absolute explosion of antisemitic attacks and violence. Now, especially in our college and University Campuses. There is no doubt that the Free Exchange of ideas is a crucial pillar of our freedom. But there is also no doubt that the conversations must be grounded in truth and respect for one another. Leadership at institutions of Higher Learning across our nation have allowed these antiisrael protests, antisemitic protests to descend into absolute chaos. Ultimately they have failed to support jewish students. Such hatred has no place in our society. Mr. Speaker, by clearly defining antisemitism, the antisemitism awareness act will help the department of education better enforce federal antidiscrimination laws. This bill will for the first time codify protection for jewish students who are and have been subject to antisemitic harassment, intimidation, and violence. Its imperative that all students feel safe on their campuses. As such i urge this body to pass this critical legislation and do what University Leaders will not do. Thats condemn these acts of hatred and support jewish students across the country. Im proud to support my colleague, mr. Lawler, and supporting this legislation. I look forward to voting for it today. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields bk. The gentleman from california reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler mr. Speaker, i now yield three minutes to the distinguished gentleman from new jersey, mr. Gottheimer. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for three minutes. Gottheimer mr. Speaker, i rise to address the house and ask unanimous consent to revi and extend my remarks. Mr. Speaker, i rise today in support of my bipartisan bill, the antisemitism awareness act. To ensure that are standing up to theew hatred thats spreading like wildfire o campuses across our country. Im proud to lead this legislation with my friend and fellow Problem Solver caucus member congressman mike lawler from new york. As we are voting today in real time, our countrys universities are experiencing a tidal wave of antisemitism. Protestors have targeted jewish students, haranguing them with awful jew hating insults and hearing on hamas. A barbaric Foreign Terrorist Organization that murdered americans on october 7 and still hold five living americans hostage, including my constituent. I met with hostage families just this morning. I saw these protests up close like Many Americans did. At columbia earlier this month. I have heard the sickening jew hating antisemitic comments comparing zionists to nazis, promises a reduction of october 7 redux of october 71,000 times over. And quoting resisting by any means necessary and intifada revolution. Intifada is called for a violent uprising against the hugh jewish people. These protests embolden hamas. They have put out a statement lauding protestors as, quote, the leaders of the future. Thats what our enemies said about the prohamas protestors at these universities. Let me clear up any confusion since im a huge champion myself of free speech. This bill protects the First Amendment. It allows criticism of israel. I ensured that. It was critical to me. It doesnt allow calls for the destruction or elimination of the jewish state. But it certainly allows criticism of israel. Even more, it reminds us that our universities have a title 6 Osama Bin Laden taste to stamp out harassment obligation to stamm up out harassment on the basis of race or National Origin. We cannot stand by if protestors call for the death of jews on College Campuses and across the department. This will require the department of education to use the ihra definition of sent semitism when carrying out title 6 definitions. Its the most widely recognized in the world used by 36 states. It condemns countries. It condemns traditional hatred and the ugly modern antisemitism that we are seeing on College Campuses. Have shouldnt be anything controversial about this bill. As mentioned when it was first introduced in 2018, 50 democrats and republicans cosponsored this legislation, including members still in this body. Right now the department of education has 137 active title 6 investigations. Some of which have been opened for years. The bill would give investigators a clear framework to evaluate antisemitism and finally the speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Mr. Nadler i yield the gentleman an additional minute. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for an additional minute. Mr. Gottheimer thank you, ranking member. The bill will give investigators a clear framework to evaluate antisemitism and finally hold harassers accountable. Dont take my word for it, 30 of our nations leading jewish groups back this bill. Under the last three administrations the statement has used the ihra definition to monitor antisemitism worldwide t takes a commonsense step to formalize it for our education stems. Three administrations accepted this definition of antisemitism. When i was at Colombia University last week i told the administrators we need deeds not words to protect jewish students. Colleagues, im making the same ask of you. This bill is a critical step we can take to stand against hate. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join us in supporting this legislation and standing strong up against antisemitism no. Excuses n. Claims of commas that they dont like, standing strong today against hate and antisemitism. Its what our country should stand for. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Mcclintock i yield two minutes to the gentleman from new york, mr. Molinaro. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Molinaro i would never question those who oppose this legislations beliefs, their ideology, religious faith. I do question the motive. We are in a moment of choosing. There are not two legitimate sides to this issue. The election of encampments on College Campuses isnt an expression of speech, it is a direct threat to jewish students on College Campuses. Those who spew hate and ignorance and antisemitism in multiple, horrid forms isnt simply an expression of ones constitutional right, it is an infringement on the rights of jewish students. They are there are those who conduct themselves in this way are wrong. Innocent students are trying to on study. I have seen it firsthand as i visited students at cornell in upstate new york. They think they are extending their freedom of speech without understanding the hate, ignorance, the violence that is emboldened by it and wrong that they can occupy buildings and damage public property. They are wrong. Congress should not only establish a Firm Commitment to the basic definition of antisemitism but it ought to speak with clarity that this is wrong. And perhaps if we had said that decades ago, we wouldnt see the escalation we are seeing today. Perhaps if College President s accepted responsibility for the safety of their jewish students, we wouldnt see the violence we see today or Law Enforcement to protect students. We dont and should never need that kind of enforcement to protect the rights of innocent students, no in tents or occupying buildings or threatening hate, violence or ignorance. We shouldnt need that to ensure that jewish students can simply be jewish students. I not only support the bill, the resolution, i encourage my colleagues to do the same. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california reserves. The chair will receive a message. The messenger mr. Speaker, messages from the senate. The secretary mr. Speaker, i have been directed by the senate to inform the house the snas has passed h. R. 1042 prohibit importation of low enriched uranium that is produced in the Russian Federation and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler mr. Speaker, every bit of conduct that mr. Molinaro described is loathe some, but that does not mean we ought to pass a bill that threatens freedom of speech. This bill will do knowing to help stamp out antisemitism on campuses or anywhere else, but it will threaten free speech for the reasons i stated before. I yield two minutes to the gentleman from tennessee, mr. Cohen. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. Coco i mr. Cohen i find the remarks to be republic hence i believe and i know your commitment to fair play and the First Amendment but i have questions and i am here to listen to the debate and i dont know if mr. Lawler wants to respond, there is another bill, bipartisan bill, 15 members on each party and i have been trying to do it but doing a crazy balancing act. Would you support h. R. 7921 and work with mr. Smith to the floor . Law law sure, any legislation that we can bring forward to combatanty semitism is critical. And i think ms. Manning and mr. Smith have done a great job working to bring a piece of legislation forward. I have introduced a number, this is but one of them. The objective is to clearly define antisemitism and force accountability on these administrators and make sure that the department of education has the teeth to enforce the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Mr. Cohen i appreciate your support for that. I think its important and more inclusive bill and prodder bill and takes in the problems not just at the universities but takes in problems in the community at large. There has been antisemitism for over 2,000 years. The jews have a homeland and before they had a homeland, they didnt have that sense of security any place where they were. It has been threatened so many times and so many places over the years and should not be taken from them. I was concerned and mr. Nadler made the point that in 2017, charlottesville, there were National Socialist movements, Traditional Workers Party members, klan members, all kind of rightwing, racist skinheads. Saying jews will not replace us and President Trump said there are good people on poaght sides. Well, there are good people on both sides in columbia, but there were not good people on both sides in charlottesville. And that antisemitism hasnt addressed on it. But there have been so many instances in history that have come not from these palestinian supporters, but from skinheads, neonazis and klans man. I hope that bill comes to the floor and can attack antisemitism and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore scwabt. The gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from california. Mr. Mcclintock i yield two minutes to the gentleman from new jersey for two minutes. Mr. Smith i thank mr. Lawler for his passionate defense of jewish brethren. It was very, very moving and i want to thank him for that. 42 years ago my first human rights trip as a congressman was to the soviet union to defend jews against ant semitism. I never thought the haiti saw in moscow could ever happen here. But it has. And it is happening and its escalating. The bigotry, intolerance and hatred for jews and the nation of israel exploding on College Campuses today is absolutely disgraceful. It is moralely impermissible that jewish students are the tart of hate and violence. Hamas is a terrorist organization that commits mass murder of jews and evisceration of israel. Dont believe it . Remember the violence on october 7 and ongoing ordeal of the hostages or the blue print of genocide against jews, modernday nazilike time solution. As cochair of the Bipartisan Task force for combatting antisemitism, i thank mike lawler and Josh Gottheimer for offering the antisemitism awareness act. This important legislation will codify the eye ray definition into title 6 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The landmark antidiscrimination law. Schools that receive federal funds must comply with title 6 and this bill will clarify that the hamas hatred infecting our campuses must be dealt with. Special thanks, mr. Speaker, to the police, who at great risk to their own personal safety are trying to mitigate the threats to jewish students of the i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time the gentleman from california reserves. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler mr. Speaker, again, antisemitism is a terrible thing. Hamas is a genocidal organization, which wants to kill all jews, not just the state of israel. No question about that. No question we have to fight antisemitism and manning bill is a good move in that direction. And give the funding that the president requested. There is no question. But that doesnt mean we should pass this bill. This bill enshrines the eye ray definition and the ihra author said dont codify it in law, because if codified into law it will be destructive of free speech. The author of the definition said that. The bill specifically excludes jerusalem. There is no good reason for that. All three definitions give examples of things that may be seen as antisemitism. And none of them should be codified into law as this bill would do for one of them. This bill would enshrine one of them into law against the will of its own author who said this is my best definition, but dont enshrine it into law, dont codify it into law, because if its made law it could infringe Free Expression and not only why the aclu, j street, and construction of Jewish Movement and a dozen other Jewish Movements oppose this law. They dont support antisemitism but because they oppose antisemitism and support freedom of speech. And those who oppose antisemitism and support freedom of speech ought to vote no. I reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california. Mr. Mcclintock i yield to two minutes to the chair man of the education and labor committee, ms. Foxx. Ms. Foxx americas colleges and universities are experiencing an explosion in antisemitism including explicit support for terrorism. These taxpayer funded institutions have become forums for promoting terrorism is unacceptable. Campus life is a daily trial of intimidation and harassment for americas jewish students. Two months ago, nine brief jewish students described tore the Education Committee how their schools have become hostile environments that include death threats. Unlawful encampments endanger learning. In columbia, a rabbi warned jewish students to leave. This would provide a needed tool to help better determine antisemitic intent, which would help ensure the safety of jewish students. I commend representative lawler for this bipartisan, bicameral bill and urge its passage. And i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back. The gentleman from new york is recognized. Mr. Nadler reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Mcclintock i yield two minutes to the gentleman from ohio, two minutes. Mr. Jordan calls for the destruction of israel, our dearest and closest ally are wrong and attacks on jewish students on College Campuses are wrong as well. I want to thank representative lawler and representative gottheimer for this fine piece of legislation and i want to thank the chairman of the immigration subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee. The only way to stop this is to take action. And the Judiciary Committee sent a letter to secretary blinken and secretary mayorkas asking three simple questions, are the people engaged in this wrong activity, this radical activity on campuses on jewish students, are they here on a visa . And if they are, is the state Department Taking actions to revoke that visa and if the state Department Taking those actions, is department ofhomeland security looking to remove these individuals . Pretty basic questions and important questions the congress has the right to know about and the American People have to know about if we stop the egregious activity. In order to stop it. We are a legislative body and lets pass this legislation and lets do the oversight and get the answers to those questions so the bad guys doing this bad stuff on College Campuses cant do it on a visa. At columbia, 55 of the student body is here on a visa. Maybe the American People need the right to know the answers and we possessed posed those questions to the department of state and department ofhomeland security and we need to stop this action going on. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from new york. Mr. Nadler reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Mcclintock i am pleased to yield two minutes to the gentleman from georgia, mr. Carter. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Carter i thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, i rise today in support of h. R. 6090 antisemitism awareness act. The prohamas protests that we are seeing now play out on tv that are taking place on College Campuses are living proof of what happens when we tolerate hate and ignorance. I recently spoke with the aunt of a 4yearold girl, who saw her parents and siblings murdered on october 7 by hamas. And she was held hostage for 51 days, a 4yearold held hostage after seeing her parents killed in front of her. Thats the behavior that Antisemitic College students are tolerating . Its disgusting, and its criminal. And they are learning it from those at the very top. We had a hearing not too long ago where College President s refused the to say that the calling of the killing of jew is was against their code of conduct. Jewish students need to be treated with dignity and respect. All students do. The department of Education Needs to use every tool to provide jewish students with a safe environment to learn. Our laws should clearly reflect the discrimination includes the indisputable antisemitic rhetoric calling for violence against jews. There are far too many inexcusable examples from this year alone and this must stop. It cannot go on. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from california reserves. The gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Mcclintock thank you, mr. Speaker. Pleased to yield two minutes to the the gentleman from kansas, mr. Mann. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. Mr. Mann i want to thank the gentleman for yielding. The events unfolding on our countrys colleges and universities is devastating. For years we have taught americans and committed ourselves to never again. We are watching the rot of antisemitism stain our american colleges and universities. We must reject the spoil of antisemitism and adopt a clear definition of what antisemitism is to better position College Administrators and officials to respond to the terror, the socalled protestors are bringing to jewish students. Many of these are propalestinian protests, they are ilinformed mobs, who believes hamas is somehow good for the people of gaza. It couldnt be further from the truth. Hamas sin tins to use innocent lives as human shields and intentionally position civilians in the middle of combat zones while using their tunnels to protect their own military leaders and fighters. Is this what our nation students want to support . To my colleagues across the aisle who have chosen to praise these antisee at the timic profits, is this what you stand for . School administrators cannot straddle both sides of the fence. We would not tolerate this behavior toward any other group of students, and must not start with the target is on americas jewish students. All students deserve a Safe Learning environment and by adopting this definition of antisemitism our College Campuses are more empowdered to uphold and protect Safe Environments for jewish students. Congress must be clear, americans stand with israel and jewish students across every College Campus in america. I urge all of my colleagues to stand with jewish students and vote in favor of this legislation. Thank you, i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields. The gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new york reserves. The gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Mcclintock im ready to close when the gentleman from new york is ready. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. Mr. Nadler im prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Nadler mr. Speaker, i strongly support meaningful action to combat antisemitism. Unfortunately that is not the legislation before us. We risk threatening freedom of speech while providing no new tools at the department of education does that the department of education does not already have to investigate claims of antisemitism. The white house has developed a strong blueprint for capturing antisemitism, and there is already legislation to implement these policies. We should be working together to pass that legislation and to provide our civil Rights Enforcement agencies with the resources they need to address antisemitism wherever it occurs. This legislation is a distraction from the important work ahead of us to protect our students and all those who face discrimination. Not only is it a distraction, it threatens freedom of speech. I urge members to oppose it. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back. The gentleman from california is recognized. Mr. Mcclintock mr. Speaker, you cannot fight antisemitism if you cannot define t the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance offers us a clear and widely accepted definition rooted in this tragedy of the ages. After that horrific crime against humanity, the civilized nations of the world took a sacred oath, never again. To support that oath these United Nations restored the jewish state to the historic homelands. That state is now under attack at home and abroad. And with this act america stands with our jewish brethren at home and the house passed legislation that would require the Education Department tt a broad definition of antisemitism. The intergovern group defines antisemitism as a perception of jews which may be expressed red, denying the jewish people the right to selfdetermination and drawing comparisons o contemporary israelcy to that of the. Several colleges and universities have been dealing with propalestinian monstrations. 21 republicans joined 70 democrats voting against the legislation. The bill is now headed to the senate. Cspans washington journal, a live forum involving you to discuss the latest issues of government, politics, and public policy. Coming up thursday morning, the antilegalization group smart approaches to marijuana and the National Organization for the reform of marijuana laws, discuss plans to reclassify marijuana as a lower risk drug, and the u. S. Potentially banning the social media app tiktok. Cspans washington journal. Join the conversation live at seven caught eastern thursday morning on cspan, cspan now, or online at cspan. Org. Onhuday, secretary dennis donagh is set to test fnd his departments 2025 budget request. Watch ts subcommittee hearing live at 10 3a. Eastern on cspan now, our free mobile video app, or online at cspan. Org. Cspan now is a free mobile app featuring your unfiltered view of whats happening in washington, live and ondemand. Keep up with the days biggest events with live streams of floor proceedings and hearings from the u. S. Congress, white house events, the court, campaigns, and the world of politics, all at your fingertips. Stay current with the latest episodes of washington journal and find scheduling information for cspans tv networks and cspan radio, plus a variety of compelling podcasts. Cspan now is available at the apple store and google play. Download it for free today. Or visit our website. Cspan now, your front row seat to washington anytime, anywhere. Next, a News Conference on College Protests focused on the israelhamas war with House Oversight Committee Chair james comer and other republican imps of the committee. They spoke at George Washington university, saying they wanted to ensure soon safety while the propalestinian demonstrations we