Congress finally takes action against the alarming 344% surge in antisemitic attacks as Rep. Miller-Meeks introduces a bipartisan commission that will have subpoena power to investigate the causes of growing hatred toward Jewish Americans.
Key Takeaways
- The proposed bipartisan commission will have authority to hold hearings, issue subpoenas, and gather data from government agencies during its year-long investigation into antisemitism in America.
- The House has already passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act with a 320-91 vote, adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism for federal anti-discrimination enforcement.
- According to the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitic incidents have increased by a staggering 344% over the past five years, highlighting the urgent need for federal action.
- The commission would include eight members appointed by House and Senate leaders with equal partisan representation to ensure politically neutral findings.
Commission Designed to Provide Factual Data on Rising Jewish Hatred
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) is leading the charge against antisemitism with new legislation to establish a dedicated commission investigating the troubling rise in Jewish hatred across America. The bill comes at a critical time when antisemitic incidents on college campuses and in communities have reached alarming levels. The congressionally appointed commission would conduct a year-long investigation with full authority to hold hearings, issue subpoenas, and obtain information from any U.S. department or agency. This effort represents a serious commitment to understanding and addressing the root causes of growing antisemitism.
I’m proud to announce I’m introducing a bill to establish a national commission to study the rise of antisemitism in the U.S.
We must face this crisis head-on with facts, action, and bipartisan resolve.
Read more in @DailySignal: https://t.co/kOVZESwx31
— Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (@RepMMM) June 2, 2025
The commission’s structure has been carefully designed to prevent partisan influence over its findings. It would consist of eight members appointed by House and Senate leaders, with no more than four from the same political party. The chairperson and vice chairperson would be selected by the Speaker of the House and the House minority leader, ensuring balanced leadership. After completing its investigation, the commission would deliver a comprehensive report to President Trump and Congress before dissolving 120 days later.
“First and foremost, assert the awareness that the issue exists and acknowledgment that antisemitism acts have been on the rise, and this most recent one [the fatal shooting of a couple outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., I think, underscores the need for an overview,” said Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks.
House Tackles Campus Antisemitism Through Definition Legislation
The commission bill follows the House’s recent passage of the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which directly addresses the surge of antisemitic incidents on college campuses. That legislation, which passed with a strong bipartisan vote of 320-91, adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism for enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws in educational settings. The definition includes specific examples of antisemitic behavior, such as making stereotypical allegations about Jews or holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of individuals.
“Right now, without a clear definition of antisemitism, the Department of Education and college administrators are having trouble discerning whether conduct is antisemitic or not, whether the activity we’re seeing crosses the line into antisemitic harassment,” said Rep. Mike Lawler.
Some Democrats raised concerns about potential free speech implications, particularly regarding criticism of Israel. However, supporters of the bill have strongly refuted these claims. “There’s a false narrative that the definition censors criticism of the Israeli government. I consider it complete nonsense,” said Rep. Ritchie Torres. The legislation extends protections established by President Trump’s 2019 executive order on combating antisemitism and has found support across the political spectrum.
Jewish Students Face Increasing Threats Amid Campus Unrest
The push for both the commission and the awareness act comes as Jewish students report increasingly dangerous situations on college campuses. Many have been advised to leave campus for their safety, with numerous documented incidents of harassment and intimidation. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s recent visit to Columbia University to meet with Jewish students highlighted the political attention this issue has received. The Anti-Defamation League’s reporting of a 344% increase in antisemitic incidents over the past five years presents undeniable evidence of a growing problem requiring federal intervention.
“It is not an issue that is relevant to only Republicans. There’s a lot of support across the aisle,” said Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, emphasizing the bipartisan nature of her proposed commission.
Additional legislative efforts include a proposal to place monitors on campuses to ensure compliance with Title VI, which prohibits discrimination in federally funded institutions. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has also expressed support for the bipartisan Countering Antisemitism Act, which would establish new roles focused on monitoring and countering antisemitism in education and government. These combined efforts represent the most significant congressional action against antisemitism in recent years.
