A resolution recognizing the significance of Jewish American Heritage Month and calling on elected officials and civil society leaders to counter antisemitism.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 246
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-22: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3108-3109; text: CR S3120)
- Last Updated
- 2025-06-23T19:02:27Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 246) recognizes May as Jewish American Heritage Month, celebrating the historical and cultural contributions of Jewish Americans to the United States. It also urges leaders to actively combat rising antisemitism (prejudice or hostility against Jewish people) through education, awareness, and protective measures.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes a series of "Whereas" clauses providing historical context and data on Jewish American contributions and the surge in antisemitism. It then resolves that the Senate:
- Recognizes Jewish American Heritage Month as an opportunity to honor Jewish Americans' impacts on U.S. society and culture, including in government, military, arts, science, and more.
- Calls on elected officials, faith leaders, and civil society leaders to denounce and actively oppose all forms of antisemitism.
- Urges elected officials and state/local leaders to promote public education about Jewish American history, stories, and achievements.
- Commits to ensuring safety and security for American Jews in daily life, such as workplaces, college campuses, synagogues, and homes.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it does not enact new laws or amend existing ones. It builds on prior congressional actions (e.g., resolutions from 2005 and 2006) and presidential proclamations since 2006 that established Jewish American Heritage Month, reinforcing ongoing recognition without introducing enforceable changes.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies and officials: Encourages federal, state, and local leaders to prioritize anti-antisemitism initiatives, potentially leading to increased educational programs or community outreach without mandating budget changes.
- On citizens: Promotes greater public awareness of Jewish heritage, which may foster tolerance and reduce hate incidents; it highlights safety concerns for the Jewish community, especially post-2023 events, and could indirectly support hate crime prevention efforts.
- On international relations: Minimal direct impact, though it references global events like the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, underscoring U.S. solidarity with Jewish communities worldwide and potentially influencing diplomatic stances on antisemitism.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Jewish American community (over 6 million people, or about 2% of the U.S. population): Directly benefits from recognition of their history and calls for enhanced protection against rising antisemitism.
- Elected officials and government leaders (federal, state, local): Tasked with condemning hate, educating the public, and ensuring safety.
- Civil society and faith leaders: Encouraged to counter antisemitism through advocacy and community efforts.
- Educational institutions (e.g., colleges, universities): Implied focus on addressing antisemitism on campuses, affecting students and administrators.
- Broader public: Invited to learn about and celebrate Jewish contributions, promoting societal inclusivity.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a resolution, it has no binding force and cannot create legal obligations or penalties; it serves as a symbolic statement that may inspire voluntary actions or support related laws like hate crime statutes.
- Constitutional: Aligns with First Amendment protections for free speech and religion by promoting education and tolerance without restricting expression; it reinforces equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment by addressing minority safety.
- Political: Demonstrates strong bipartisan support (introduced by 26 senators from both parties and agreed to unanimously), signaling congressional consensus on combating antisemitism amid recent spikes in incidents (e.g., 9,354 reported in 2024 per the Anti-Defamation League). It could influence future policy debates on hate prevention without partisan division.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (27)
Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL], Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA], Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA], Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ], Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL], Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA], Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV], Sen. Hagerty, Bill [R-TN], Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO], Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-22: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3108-3109; text: CR S3120)
- 2025-05-22: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-05-22: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Recognizing the significance of Jewish American Heritage Month and calling on elected officials and civil society leaders to counter antisemitism. — issued 2025-05-22 — PDF (5 pages)