Calling on elected officials and civil society leaders to counter antisemitism and educate the public on the contributions of the Jewish American community.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 352
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-14: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T21:09:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H. Res. 352
Purpose
This House Resolution recognizes "Jewish American Heritage Month" and aims to highlight the historical and ongoing contributions of Jewish Americans to the United States. It addresses the recent rise in antisemitism (prejudice or hostility against Jewish people) following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, emphasizing education and awareness as key tools to combat hate and promote safety for Jewish communities.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes a series of "Whereas" clauses providing historical context and factual background, followed by a "Resolved" section with three main directives for the House of Representatives:
- Calls on elected officials, faith leaders, and civil society leaders to publicly condemn and actively counter all forms of antisemitism.
- Urges the executive branch (the President's administration), as well as state and local leaders, to educate the public about the contributions of the Jewish-American community and to promote Jewish stories and voices.
- Commits the House to take all feasible steps to protect the safety, security, and dignity of American Jews in daily life, including workplaces, college campuses, synagogues, and homes.
The background highlights the origins of Jewish American Heritage Month in 1980 legislation and presidential proclamations, lists notable Jewish American inventors and their innovations (e.g., the slow cooker by Irving Naxon, the shopping cart by Sylvan Goldman, and frequency-hopping technology by Hedy Lamarr that influenced Wi-Fi and GPS), and cites statistics on rising antisemitism from sources like the American Jewish Committee and Hillel International.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding House Resolution, meaning it expresses the House's opinions and recommendations but does not create, amend, or enforce any laws. It introduces no legal changes to existing statutes.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies and leaders: Encourages federal, state, and local officials to prioritize education on Jewish heritage and anti-antisemitism efforts, potentially leading to increased public awareness campaigns or policy focus without mandating action.
- On citizens: Promotes greater understanding of Jewish contributions to fields like science, arts, and business, which may foster tolerance and reduce prejudice; it could indirectly improve safety for Jewish individuals by highlighting societal issues.
- On international relations: Indirectly acknowledges the global context of the October 7, 2023, events but focuses domestically; no direct impact on foreign policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Jewish Americans, who benefit from increased recognition and protection calls.
- Elected officials at federal, state, and local levels, urged to lead on education and condemnation of hate.
- Faith leaders and civil society organizations, called to actively counter antisemitism.
- Educational institutions (e.g., colleges and universities), targeted for ensuring safety amid rising incidents.
- The general public, encouraged to learn about Jewish heritage to combat online and in-person prejudice.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a resolution, it has no enforceable power and does not create rights or obligations; it relies on voluntary compliance.
- Constitutional: Aligns with First Amendment protections for free speech and religious freedom by promoting awareness without restricting expression; it supports equal protection under the law by addressing discrimination.
- Political: Signals bipartisan congressional support for combating antisemitism, potentially influencing public discourse and future legislation; it builds on prior recognitions of Jewish Heritage Month, reinforcing cultural heritage observances in U.S. policy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25]
Cosponsors (11)
Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-14: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-05-14: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 421 - 1 (Roll no. 129). (text: CR H2027-2028) (Roll call 129)
- 2025-05-14: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 421 - 1 (Roll no. 129). (text: CR H2027-2028) (Roll call 129)
- 2025-05-14: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2032-2033)
- 2025-05-14: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- 2025-05-14: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 352.
- 2025-05-14: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2027-2031)
- 2025-05-14: Mr. Schmidt moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
- 2025-04-24: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-04-24: Submitted in House
- 2025-04-24: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Calling on elected officials and civil society leaders to counter antisemitism and educate the public on the contributions of the Jewish American community. — issued 2025-05-14 — PDF (4 pages)
- Calling on elected officials and civil society leaders to counter antisemitism and educate the public on the contributions of the Jewish American community. — issued 2025-04-24 — PDF (4 pages)