House Republicans Throw Democrats into a Political Quandary

How badly do Senate Democrats, and Joe Biden as President, want to declare themselves The Official Party of Violent antisemitism? Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. We’ll find out with his so-slim majority.

The House passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act of Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), one day after Columbia University was cleared by police following a pro-Hamas occupation.

Just The News reports that the bill “seeks for the Department of Education to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism to enforce the 1964 Civil Rights Act” on college campuses. I find the Alliance’s definition a bit broad, and some aspects may not pass constitutional muster.

The group defines “antisemitism” as “a certain view of Jews that may be expressed in hatred towards Jews.” They also state, “Rhetorical or physical manifestations of Antisemitism will be directed at Jewish and non-Jewish people and/or property, as well as Jewish community institutions and religious buildings.”

The term “rhetorical” can be a problem to First Amendment advocates and free speech absolutists such as myself.

Rep. Matt Goetz (R-Fla.) voted Nay, calling it a “ridiculous hate speech bill.” Lauren Boebert of Colorado, a Republican in the House, also agreed. She posted on X that she would not vote for any bill that violates the First Amendment and will have no positive impact on the issue.

Their concerns are overblown, but I do not share them. The Antisemitism Awareness Act requires that the DOE use the Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition to enforce existing laws. It is important to note that it does not level the playing field, but rather it gives those on college campuses a chance who need it.

In an ideal world, there would be no such laws. As long as they exist, however, we shouldn’t allow certain groups to enjoy “open season”, while others are given carte blanche.

Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority leader (D-N.Y.), had his proposal called the Countering Antisemitism Act. According to an NBC News report, Jeffries’ bill would “address the concerns about the rising antisemitism by appointing a new advisor to the President who would be committed to implementing their coordinated strategy to combat antisemitism.”

Translation: The Countering Antisemitism Act will be a slap on the wrist for another Biden White House position that is just there to make work, but nothing will happen.

The Antisemitism Awareness Act passed with a large majority of 320-91. That puts real pressure on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and his fellow/sister/xellow/zister Democrats to move the bill through quickly and send it to the White House for Biden’s signature.

Or his veto.

This is a flawed bill. It could be useful if passed, and would certainly put pressure on Democrats who find themselves between a stone (their reliance on antisemitic) and a difficult place (the majority of people who are against antisemitism).

Look, I realize there’s not much to be said about Speaker Johnson or the barely-there GOP majorities in general. Let’s give credit where it’s due. And that’s here.