Sponsors (48)
The bill strengthens federal recognition and enforcement against antisemitism by adopting a single IHRA-informed definition—improving protections and policy consistency for Jewish students and recipients of federal funds—while raising significant free-speech concerns, legal-interpretation disputes, and administrative costs for schools and governments.
Jewish students and other recipients of federal funding (K–12 and higher ed) — federal agencies and schools would apply a single, IHRA-based definition of antisemitism, giving clearer grounds for investigating and remedying antisemitic harassment and improving day-to-day protections.
Federal and state civil-rights enforcers and education administrators — would have more consistent standards and guidance for Title VI and related enforcement, which can improve the clarity and efficiency of complaint investigations and remedies.
Students, schools, and communities — the bill affirms a coordinated National Strategy and encourages prevention, training, and awareness efforts that can reduce antisemitic harassment, improve campus and school safety, and foster intercommunity dialogue.
Students, faculty, nonprofits, and campus groups — reliance on the IHRA examples may chill debate and political speech about Israel/Palestine and create free-speech concerns for those engaging in criticism, discussion, or protest.
Schools, colleges, local and state governments — adopting a single definition can create legal uncertainty and interpretation disputes (religion vs. race, what counts as antisemitic), increasing litigation risk and administrative burdens during investigations.
Schools, universities, the State Department, and nonprofits — implementing the definition and related guidance likely requires new training, revised policies, and compliance work that will raise administrative costs for institutions and grant recipients.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Requires the Department of Education to consider the IHRA definition of antisemitism when assessing Title VI complaints involving Jewish ancestry or ethnic characteristics.
Introduced February 13, 2025 by Tim Scott · Last progress February 13, 2025
Directs the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when determining whether conduct targeting people with Jewish ancestry or Jewish ethnic characteristics violates Title VI’s ban on race-, color-, or national-origin-based discrimination. It also makes a nonbinding congressional statement endorsing the IHRA definition and saying antisemitism should be vigorously addressed, while preserving existing legal standards and First Amendment protections.