New commission established under Salazar’s bipartisan bill to study anti-semitism

A bipartisan bill proposed on Dec. 4 by U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) would establish a nonpartisan, nonpolitical commission to study anti-semitism in the United States.

“There is no room for anti-semitic hatred in the United States,” Rep. Salazar said. “The federal government must respond to the unacceptable rise of anti-semitism our Jewish communities face. This bill will give federal, state, and local officials the ability to zero in on the roots of this hatred and crush it.”

The congresswoman signed on as one of 25 original cosponsors of the Commission to Study Acts of Antisemitism in the United States Act, H.R. 6578, to study what the FBI has called historically high levels of anti-semitism in America. 

Among the members who joined Rep. Salazar as an original cosponsor of H.R. 6578 were U.S. Reps. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Mark Amodei (R-NV), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).

“Before Oct. 7th, anti-semitism was on a sharp rise, but now we’ve seen it skyrocket, especially online,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “This bipartisan, bicameral inquiry, which is supported by Jewish civil society leaders and experts, will complement the implementation of President Biden’s first-ever National Strategy to Counter Anti-semitism and inform key policy decisions in combating this disturbing trend.”

The commission established under the bill would be made up of eight members appointed by Congress who would be responsible for overseeing an investigation into anti-semitism, according to the text of the bill.

Specifically, the new commission would investigate the facts and causes of anti-semitism; examine and evaluate evidence developed by relevant federal, state, and local governments regarding the facts and circumstances of anti-semitic attacks within the United States; and report to the president and Congress on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations for legislation or administrative actions, the text says.

The measure is supported by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the Anti-Defamation League.