What happened to the 'Antisemitism Awareness Act' ?

In 2024, following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, a notable legislative proposal emerged in the U.S. to address rising antisemitism: the Antisemitism Awareness Act. This bill, which garnered significant attention, including on The Mark Levin Show, aimed to codify a specific definition of antisemitism into federal law to combat discrimination, particularly on college campuses. Mark Levin, a prominent conservative commentator and host of the nationally syndicated radio program and Fox News show Life, Liberty & Levin, frequently discussed this proposal in the context of increasing antisemitic incidents in America and his broader critique of cultural and political responses to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Antisemitism Awareness Act, formally known as H.R. 6090 in the 118th Congress (introduced in 2023 and passed by the House in 2024), sought to mandate that the Department of Education adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism when enforcing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs receiving federal funding, including universities. The IHRA definition describes antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews,” and includes examples such as denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination by claiming the existence of Israel is a racist endeavor, or applying double standards to Israel not expected of other nations.

The House of Representatives passed the bill on May 1, 2024, with a bipartisan vote of 320-91, reflecting widespread support amid growing concerns over antisemitism following the Hamas attack and subsequent campus protests. Levin, known for his strong pro-Israel stance and criticism of progressive policies, likely highlighted this legislation as a necessary response to what he has described as unchecked antisemitism in educational institutions and broader society. On his show, he often frames such issues within a narrative of defending American values and supporting Israel against its adversaries, including domestic critics.

Supporters, including sponsors like Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), argued that the bill provided a consistent framework to address harassment and discrimination against Jewish students, especially as pro-Palestinian protests swept U.S. campuses in 2024. They pointed to incidents of antisemitic rhetoric and violence reported at universities like Columbia, where Jewish students expressed feeling unsafe. Levin, in his commentary, would likely have emphasized this as evidence of a cultural decline needing legislative correction, aligning with his frequent discussions of protecting Jewish Americans and Israel’s right to exist.

However, the proposal faced criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. Some Republicans, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), opposed it, claiming it could criminalize Christian beliefs, such as the Gospel narrative that Jews were responsible for Jesus’s death—an interpretation supporters clarified was not the bill’s intent, as it is a civil, not criminal, measure. Democrats like Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and civil liberties advocates worried it might chill free speech by conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism, given the IHRA definition’s inclusion of certain anti-Israel sentiments. Levin, a staunch defender of free speech but also of Israel, might have dismissed these concerns as misguided or sympathetic to anti-Israel agendas, a stance consistent with his on-air rhetoric.

As of April 9, 2025, the bill awaits Senate action, where its fate remains uncertain due to these debates and shifting political priorities under the incoming Trump administration, which Levin strongly supports. On The Mark Levin Show, he likely tied the legislation to broader themes of his platform—combating what he sees as Marxist and Islamist influences in America, defending Western civilization, and praising Trump’s pro-Israel policies. While specific episode transcripts from 2024 aren’t detailed here, Levin’s discussions would reflect his pattern of blending legal analysis (from his background as a Reagan-era attorney) with fiery advocacy for conservative causes, making the Antisemitism Awareness Act a focal point in his narrative of post-October 7 America. 17GEN4.com