No Antisemitism in Education Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 8476

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Education

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-06-25: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 12.

Last Updated

2026-07-06T18:20:32Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "No Antisemitism in Education Act of 2026" aims to ensure that local school districts (local educational agencies) and colleges/universities receiving federal funding treat discrimination motivated by antisemitism with the same seriousness as other forms of discrimination banned under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (a law prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs receiving federal money).

Key Provisions

• Findings (Section 2): Congress highlights data showing antisemitism as a major issue in U.S. education, including FBI hate crime stats, surveys of Jewish students, and reports from the House Committee on Education and Workforce documenting failures by schools and universities to enforce anti-discrimination rules equally.
• Core Requirement (Section 3(a)):
• Schools and colleges must address antisemitism-based discrimination (by students, staff, or institutional policies) as rigorously as other Title VI violations.
• Federal agencies, schools, and colleges must use a specific definition of "antisemitism" (from Executive Order 13899, which includes examples like denying Jewish self-determination or using antisemitic tropes) when investigating complaints.
• Enforcement mirrors Title VI mechanisms, such as cutting federal funds for non-compliance.
• Protections (Section 3(b)):
• Does not limit First Amendment free speech rights.
• Does not override stronger state anti-discrimination laws.
• Definitions (Section 3(c)): Clarifies terms like "antisemitism," "institution of higher education," and "local educational agency."

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a mandatory definition of antisemitism for Title VI enforcement in education, which was not previously required.
• Explicitly demands "equal vigor" in handling antisemitism compared to other discriminations, addressing alleged "double standards" in current practices.
• Ties compliance directly to federal funding eligibility.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Departments like Education and Justice must apply the antisemitism definition in reviews, potentially increasing investigations and enforcement actions against non-compliant schools.
• Citizens/Students: Jewish students may gain stronger protections against harassment or exclusion, with clearer paths to report and resolve issues.
• Educational Institutions: Risk losing federal aid if they fail to act decisively; may need to update policies, training, and disciplinary processes.
• No direct international relations impact noted.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Local educational agencies (public K-12 school districts).
• Institutions of higher education (colleges/universities) receiving federal funds.
• Jewish students and communities (primary beneficiaries of protections).
• Federal enforcement agencies (e.g., Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights).
• School administrators, faculty, and student groups (subject to new compliance standards).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens Title VI application to antisemitism by providing a uniform definition and enforcement parity, potentially leading to more lawsuits or fund terminations.
• Constitutional: Explicitly safeguards First Amendment rights, avoiding challenges over speech restrictions.
• Political: Responds to documented campus incidents post-2024 reports, signaling congressional priority on antisemitism amid broader debates on free speech vs. discrimination in education.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6]

Cosponsors (15)

Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2], Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28], Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12], Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Mills, Cory [R-FL-7], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Harris, Mark [R-NC-8], Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2026-06-25: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 12.
• 2026-06-25: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2026-04-23: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
• 2026-04-23: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
• 2026-04-23: Introduced in House
• 2026-04-23: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• No Antisemitism in Education Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-23 — PDF (5 pages)