Condemning the rise in ideologically motivated attacks on Jewish individuals in the United States, including the recent violent assault in Boulder, Colorado, and reaffirming the House of Representatives commitment to combating antisemitism and politically motivated violence.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 481
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-09: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T20:54:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 481) condemns recent acts of violence targeting Jewish individuals and institutions in the United States, highlighting them as ideologically motivated terrorism and antisemitism. It aims to reaffirm the nation's commitment to protecting religious freedoms and peaceful assembly while urging action against such violence.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes the following main points:
- Condemnation of specific incident: Strongly denounces the June 1, 2025, attack on a "Run for Their Lives" gathering in Boulder, Colorado, where an individual used incendiary devices, injuring multiple people, including elderly participants, in a targeted act of terrorism.
- Recognition of broader pattern: Acknowledges this event as part of an increasing trend of politically and religiously motivated violence against Jewish people, citing examples such as:
- The May 21, 2025, fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy staff outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, by a suspect shouting "Free, free Palestine!"
- The April 13, 2025, arson attack on the Pennsylvania Governor's Residence during a Passover Seder, motivated by the governor's views on Israel and Palestinians, leading to charges of attempted murder, terrorism, and arson.
- Reaffirmation of rights: Emphasizes that no American should face violence or intimidation based on religion, heritage, or peaceful advocacy, and declares antisemitism (prejudice or discrimination against Jewish people) incompatible with U.S. values.
- Call for investigations and prosecutions: Urges federal, state, and local law enforcement to thoroughly investigate and prosecute these incidents.
- Encouragement for public action: Calls on elected officials, community leaders, and civil society to publicly oppose antisemitism and politically motivated violence.
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 of Representatives' position rather than enacting new legal requirements.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: May prompt increased vigilance and resource allocation by law enforcement for investigating hate crimes, though it lacks enforceable mandates.
- On citizens: Raises public awareness of antisemitic threats, potentially fostering greater community support for Jewish safety and peaceful activism; it could encourage reporting of incidents but does not directly alter individual rights.
- On international relations: Indirectly signals U.S. solidarity with Israel and condemnation of antisemitism, which may influence diplomatic discussions on Middle East issues, but has no formal policy effects.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Jewish individuals and communities: Directly addressed as victims of the highlighted violence; the resolution aims to protect their safety and rights.
- Law enforcement agencies: Encouraged to prioritize investigations into hate-motivated crimes.
- Elected officials and community leaders: Urged to actively speak out against antisemitism.
- General public and advocacy groups: Affected through broader calls to reject violence tied to political or religious ideologies, promoting a safer environment for peaceful gatherings.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces existing federal hate crime laws (e.g., under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act) without amending them; emphasizes prosecution but adds no new penalties.
- Constitutional: Supports First Amendment protections for free speech, assembly, and religious practice by condemning violence while distinguishing it from protected advocacy.
- Political: Acts as a bipartisan (or at least House-wide) statement against rising antisemitism amid geopolitical tensions, potentially influencing public discourse and future legislation on domestic terrorism; it highlights ideological motivations without endorsing specific foreign policies.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]
Cosponsors (70)
Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2], Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4], Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1], Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12], Rep. Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23], Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5], Rep. Green, Mark E. [R-TN-7], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1], Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48], Rep. Jackson, Ronny [R-TX-13], Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Maloy, Celeste [R-UT-2], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10], Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1] and 20 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-09: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-06-09: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 400 - 0, 2 Present (Roll no. 159). (text: CR H2539) (Roll call 159)
- 2025-06-09: 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): 400 - 0, 2 Present (Roll no. 159). (text: CR H2539) (Roll call 159)
- 2025-06-09: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2559)
- 2025-06-09: 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.
- 2025-06-09: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 481.
- 2025-06-09: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2539-2542)
- 2025-06-09: Mr. Van Drew moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
- 2025-06-05: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-06-05: Submitted in House
- 2025-06-05: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Condemning the rise in ideologically motivated attacks on Jewish individuals in the United States, including the recent violent assault in Boulder, Colorado, and reaffirming the House of Representatives commitment to combating antisemitism and politically motivated violence. — issued 2025-06-09 — PDF (3 pages)
- Condemning the rise in ideologically motivated attacks on Jewish individuals in the United States, including the recent violent assault in Boulder, Colorado, and reaffirming the House of Representatives commitment to combating antisemitism and politically motivated violence. — issued 2025-06-05 — PDF (3 pages)