West OC Times

Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA) took a stand against campus antisemitism by supporting the passing of H.R. 6090, the Antisemitism Awareness Act. In response to the bipartisan, bicameral legislation, Rep. Steel expressed her concerns about the safety and well-being of Jewish students on college campuses, as reported by The Hill.

"For weeks, weak university leaders have allowed pro-terrorist demonstrators to create an unsafe and unwelcoming environment for Jewish students on college campuses across this country," said Rep. Steel. She highlighted the recent violence at UCLA as a result of this lack of moral clarity. Furthermore, Rep. Steel shared her firsthand interaction with Jewish students who recounted their troubling experiences with antisemitism on campus.

"It is absolutely clear that if universities will not protect Jewish students, Congress must," emphasized Rep. Steel. She proudly voted for the Antisemitism Awareness Act to ensure security for Jewish students and hold accountable those who perpetrate acts of hatred.

In addition to her support for H.R. 6090, Rep. Steel has been actively addressing antisemitism in education. She questioned Columbia University President Minouche Shafik about concerning anti-Semitic displays by faculty at an Education and Workforce Committee hearing. Rep. Steel also cosponsored H.Res.927, condemning antisemitism on university campuses, which passed the House of Representatives following testimonies by university presidents.

The Antisemitism Awareness Act aims to direct the Department of Education to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition of antisemitism in federal anti-discrimination law enforcement. The full text of the bill is available for review on the official website.