Fitzpatrick introduces bipartisan, bicameral Countering Antisemitism Act

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) on April 10 signed on as an original cosponsor of a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would take comprehensive action to strengthen efforts to combat antisemitism in America.

“Antisemitism has no place in our country,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said. “I am alarmed by the rising acts and incidences of antisemitism and hate across our nation. 

As a co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, the congressman said he’s “proud to join this bipartisan and bicameral effort to make sure that our federal government is doing everything we can to protect our Jewish communities.”

The Countering Antisemitism Act, H.R. 7921/S. 4091, would establish a first-ever National Coordinator to Counter Antisemitism, who would oversee federal efforts to counter domestic antisemitism and lead an interagency task force to implement the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism and future government strategies, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

Rep. Fitzpatrick introduced H.R. 7921 alongside bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Kathy Manning (D-NC), while U.S. Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and James Lankford (R-OK) offered S. 4091 on April 9 in the Senate.

“In the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, American Jews are facing an explosion of antisemitic hatred and violence. This frightening development requires a comprehensive, all-of-government approach,” said Rep. Manning. 

“This act requires law enforcement to ensure robust threat assessment reporting, enhances education about the history of antisemitism and the dangers posed not just to Jews but to Democracy, requires an analysis of online antisemitism with recommendations to Congress, supports the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, and more,” she added.

Specifically, the bill would require the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the National Counterterrorism Center to jointly produce an annual threat assessment of antisemitic violent extremism, and require the U.S. Education Department to designate a senior official to oversee its efforts to counter antisemitic discrimination in higher education, among other provisions, the summary says.