Antisemitism Response and Prevention Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 6806

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-18: Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.

Last Updated

2026-07-10T08:05:59Z

AI-Generated Summary

Antisemitism Response and Prevention Act of 2025 (H.R. 6806)

Purpose

The legislation aims to strengthen federal efforts to combat antisemitism in the United States by establishing coordinated mechanisms, enhancing civil rights enforcement, improving hate crime reporting, and increasing funding for security programs. It emphasizes evidence-based approaches that protect democratic values, civil liberties, and free speech, while explicitly prohibiting the use of antisemitism concerns for partisan political goals, such as suppressing protected speech or enforcing ideological conformity.

Key Provisions

• Findings and Policy Statement: Documents the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents (e.g., 73% increase from 2022 to 2024 per FBI data) and criticizes past misuse of antisemitism accusations for political ends, like targeting educational programs or immigration enforcement. It outlines U.S. policy to educate the public on antisemitism's history, oppose it without ulterior motives, involve diverse Jewish communities in policy development, and connect antisemitism efforts to broader anti-extremism initiatives. A "sense of Congress" affirms that definitions of antisemitism (e.g., from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) are educational tools, not for punitive legal use, and protects criticism of Israeli policies as free speech under the First Amendment.

• Higher Education Requirements: Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require colleges and universities receiving federal aid to appoint a Title VI coordinator (Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs). Coordinators must handle complaints, run annual public awareness campaigns on discrimination, submit reports to the Department of Education, and notify the campus community. Institutions must distinguish between prohibited discrimination and protected political speech.

• Department of Education Enhancements: Authorizes $280 million annually from fiscal years 2027–2032 for the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to investigate discrimination complaints. Requires certifications that OCR regional offices remain open and staffed, with reports to Congress if not. Mandates monthly briefings on Title VI complaints (especially those involving antisemitism) for the first year post-enactment. Prohibits transferring, closing, or consolidating OCR without new congressional approval.

• Office of the National Coordinator to Counter Antisemitism: Establishes this office within the Department of Justice (DOJ), led by a non-political appointee serving a 4-year term. The coordinator advises the Attorney General, oversees implementation of the 2023 U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism across 30+ federal agencies, conducts biennial reviews for 10 years, reviews training programs, coordinates with community groups, and ensures efforts align with anti-extremism programs.

• Hate Crime Reporting Center (HCRC): Amends the Hate Crime Statistics Act to create the HCRC within the FBI's Civil Rights Unit, headed by a non-political coordinator with a 6-year term. The center tracks, reports, and publishes hate crime data annually, runs national awareness campaigns (multilingual and accessible), monitors media/online platforms, partners with community organizations, and accesses FBI crime data. Authorizes $50 million annually from fiscal years 2027–2032. Requires quarterly reports to Congress on hate crimes and biannual activity reports.

• Nonprofit Security Grant Program: Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to prohibit grant conditions tied to diversity policies, immigration cooperation, or political stances. Increases funding to $500 million annually from fiscal years 2027–2032 (from $360 million previously). Requires annual reports on grant recipients, applicants, and amounts. Mandates a public awareness campaign with outreach, technical assistance, and multilingual materials for at-risk communities (e.g., Jewish and religious minorities), funded at $25 million annually from fiscal years 2027–2032.

• Reporting Requirements: Directs annual reports on extremist ideologies in public institutions and prisons, and quarterly reports on domestic terrorism threats and responses, coordinated by the Attorney General, DHS, FBI, and others, with unclassified formats and optional classified annexes.

• Definitions: Defines "antisemitism" per the 2023 National Strategy; lists "relevant agencies" (over 30 federal entities); references the National Strategy document.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Higher Education Act: Adds mandatory Title VI coordinators, awareness campaigns, and annual reporting at institutions, with a rule protecting free speech—previously, such requirements were not explicitly mandated.
• Department of Education Organization Act: Bolsters OCR funding and structure, prohibiting closures or transfers without new laws, and adding certification/briefing mandates—addressing recent office consolidations.
• Hate Crime Statistics Act: Introduces the HCRC as a dedicated unit for comprehensive hate crime tracking and public campaigns, expanding beyond basic FBI data collection.
• Homeland Security Act: Bars politicized grant conditions (e.g., on diversity or immigration), extends and increases funding through 2032, and adds detailed reporting and awareness efforts—reversing recent conditional impositions.
• Overall, shifts focus from potentially partisan enforcement to non-political, evidence-based coordination, with protections for coordinators against political interference.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases workload and funding for DOJ, FBI, Department of Education, and DHS to coordinate anti-antisemitism efforts, improve data collection, and enforce civil rights—potentially enhancing inter-agency collaboration but requiring new hires and resources.
• Citizens: Jewish and other minority communities gain better protections against hate crimes through enhanced reporting, security grants, and education; students and faculty benefit from clearer distinctions between discrimination and free speech in campuses. Broader public may see more awareness campaigns, fostering coalition-building against extremism.
• Educational Institutions: Colleges must invest in coordinators and reporting, risking federal funding loss for non-compliance, but with safeguards for academic freedom—could reduce frivolous investigations.
• Nonprofits and At-Risk Groups: Easier access to security grants without political strings, improving safety for synagogues, community centers, and others vulnerable to hate.
• International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though alignment with the National Strategy may support U.S. diplomatic efforts on global antisemitism; references to IHRA definition reinforce educational (not punitive) international standards.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Jewish Communities and Organizations: Primary beneficiaries through targeted security, awareness, and policy input; diverse groups (e.g., across political spectrums) emphasized for involvement.
• Educational Institutions: Colleges/universities must comply with new Title VI rules; students (especially Jewish) protected from harassment while preserving free expression.
• Federal Agencies: DOJ, FBI, Department of Education, DHS (e.g., FEMA for grants)—face new offices, reporting, and funding obligations.
• Civil Rights and Community Groups: Nonprofits, advocacy organizations (e.g., for hate crime prevention) gain partnerships, technical aid, and grant access.
• Law Enforcement and Prisons: Enhanced monitoring and reporting on hate crimes and extremism.
• Broader Public: Taxpayers fund expansions; political activists (e.g., pro-Palestinian groups) protected from misuse of antisemitism claims in enforcement.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Constitutional: Strongly reinforces First Amendment protections by distinguishing protected political speech (e.g., Israel criticism) from discrimination, and prohibiting speech-based deportations or grant conditions—potentially limiting executive overreach, as seen in referenced court rulings blocking past actions.
• Legal: Establishes non-partisan roles (e.g., coordinators not removable except for cause) to insulate efforts from political influence; expands civil rights enforcement under Title VI without creating new crimes, focusing on education and prevention over punishment.
• Political: Counters perceived weaponization of antisemitism (e.g., by critiquing Trump-era policies like Project Esther) to ensure bipartisan, evidence-based approaches; promotes coalition-building across ideologies, but may spark debate on balancing anti-hate efforts with free speech—could influence future hate crime laws and agency independence.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]

Cosponsors (46)

Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Liccardo, Sam T. [D-CA-16], Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-25], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Mejia, Analilia [D-NJ-11], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-18: Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
• 2025-12-17: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Homeland Security, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-12-17: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Homeland Security, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-12-17: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Homeland Security, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-12-17: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Homeland Security, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-12-17: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-17: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Antisemitism Response and Prevention Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-17 — PDF (37 pages)