House Passes Owens’ Bill Combatting Antisemitism

WASHINGTON – Today the House of Representatives passed H.Res. 798, introduced by Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04), to condemn support for Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at American universities, which have created a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. 

“It is the height of hypocrisy that the same colleges advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion are silent as hateful acts of antisemitism spread like wildfire on their campuses,” said Rep. Owens. “The failure to promptly condemn these demonstrations glorifying terrorism is shameful and beyond moral reproach, and it has left Jewish students fearful for their lives. Today, the people’s House sent a clear message to the nation: We firmly reject evil, we strongly support Israel, and we will root out the rotten ideologies found in our higher education system.”

Watch his full remarks here or above. 

Background:

In addition to leading H.Res. 798, Owens took prompt and unequivocal action to support Israel: 

• Called for U.S. universities, including Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, UPenn, and Yale, to address the rise in pro-Hamas and antisemitic statements and protests by student organizations and professors.
• Pushed to immediately freeze the $6 billion in Iranian funds released as part of a prisoner swap.
• Urged Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to take action to protect the safety and justice of Jewish American citizens.
• Called on President Biden to revoke the visas of foreign nationals who endorse or espouse activity in support of Hamas and its backers.
• Demanded the deportation of any student visa holders involved in pro-Hamas or pro-Hezbollah protests.
• Helped pass H.Res 771 in the House, standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists.

Legislative text of the resolution is available here. 

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