Condemning the violent antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado, and expressing support for the survivors and their families.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 476
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-11: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2632)
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-17T19:44:34Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 476) condemns a violent antisemitic attack that occurred on June 1, 2025, during a peaceful march in Boulder, Colorado, organized by the group Run for Their Lives. The resolution expresses support for the survivors and their families, highlights the rise in antisemitic incidents, and reaffirms the U.S. commitment to combating hate and protecting civil rights.
Key Provisions
- Condemnation of the Attack: Declares the incident—carried out with a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails, injuring participants including a Holocaust survivor—as an antisemitic act of terrorism and a federal hate crime.
- Expression of Solidarity: Offers support to the survivors, their families, and the broader Jewish community, recognizing their resilience and ongoing efforts to advocate for the release of hostages held by Hamas since October 7, 2023.
- Recognition of Broader Context: Notes the national and local surge in antisemitic incidents (e.g., a 40% rise in Colorado in 2024 per the Anti-Defamation League), including threats, violence, and harassment against Jewish individuals and institutions.
- Calls for Action: Urges continued vigilance, federal resources for investigating hate crimes, and support for affected communities; praises swift responses by law enforcement (e.g., Boulder Police and FBI) and community leaders.
- Affirmation of Values: States that the House stands against hate and violence, supports freedom of speech and religion, and promotes peace, safety, and inclusion for all, regardless of faith.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws. It serves as a formal expression of the House's position rather than enacting new statutes or amendments.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Encourages federal agencies like the FBI to prioritize investigations into hate crimes and allocate resources to counter antisemitism, potentially influencing funding or policy focus without mandating action.
- On Citizens: Provides symbolic reassurance to Jewish and other targeted communities, fostering unity and resilience; may heighten public awareness of antisemitic threats, encouraging community-led anti-hate initiatives like continued Run for Their Lives events.
- On International Relations: Indirectly supports U.S. advocacy for the release of hostages in Gaza by recognizing the march's purpose, aligning with broader foreign policy stances on terrorism and human rights without direct diplomatic effects.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Survivors and Families: Direct beneficiaries of the expressed solidarity and calls for justice.
- Jewish Community: Broadly supported through condemnations of rising antisemitism and affirmations of religious freedoms.
- Boulder and Colorado Residents: Highlighted for their resilience, with emphasis on local law enforcement and community leaders' roles.
- Advocacy Groups: Organizations like Run for Their Lives and the Anti-Defamation League are referenced, potentially gaining visibility for their work.
- Law Enforcement and Officials: Praised for responses, with implications for ongoing federal-state collaborations on hate crimes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the classification of the attack as a federal hate crime (under laws like the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which protects against bias-motivated violence), but does not alter legal frameworks.
- Constitutional: Emphasizes First Amendment rights to peaceful assembly and free speech, underscoring that such protected activities must be safeguarded from violent interference.
- Political: As a bipartisan resolution introduced by Colorado representatives, it signals unified congressional opposition to antisemitism amid national tensions, potentially influencing public discourse, future legislation on hate crimes, or electoral messaging on civil rights and extremism. It avoids partisan debate, focusing on shared values.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (9)
Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6], Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3], Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-11: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2632)
- 2025-06-04: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-06-04: Submitted in House
- 2025-06-04: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Condemning the violent antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado, and expressing support for the survivors and their families. — issued 2025-06-04 — PDF (3 pages)