HR 6090: Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023

Congress: 118 · Status: active · Israel/Palestine classification: pro-Israel

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Official record on Congress.gov — full text, actions, and cosponsor history for HR 6090.

Sponsor: Lawler, Michael (R-New York)

Summary

Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 This bill provides statutory authority for the requirement that the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights take into consideration the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA's) working definition of antisemitism when reviewing or investigating complaints of discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. According to the IHRA's working definition, antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. 

Editorial Explainer

This bill requires the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism when investigating complaints of discrimination at schools receiving federal funding. The IHRA definition includes 'contemporary examples' that classify certain criticisms of Israel—such as calling Israel 'a racist endeavor,' comparing Israeli policies to Nazi actions, or applying 'double standards' to Israel—as antisemitic.

Why it matters

This makes the IHRA definition legally binding in Title VI civil-rights enforcement, effectively converting statements about Israel into potential violations that could trigger federal investigations and loss of funding. Critics argue this conflates antisemitism with Israel-criticism and restricts speech; supporters say it protects Jewish students from discrimination. The mechanism turns subjective interpretations of Israel policy into federal civil-rights violations.

Cosponsors (61)

Roll-call votes (429)