In a decisive move, the House of Representatives passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act on Wednesday with a vote of 320-91. The bipartisan bill, led by Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and supported by 15 Democratic co-sponsors, aims to address concerns about rising antisemitism on college campuses.

The bill mandates that the Department of Education utilize the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's working definition of antisemitism when enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws. This working definition includes perceiving hatred towards Jews and denying their right to self-determination, such as through claims that the State of Israel is a racist state or by drawing comparisons between Israeli policies and those of the Nazis.

While the bill received significant support, many Republicans and Democrats who voted against it argued that it could infringe on free speech. Some Democrats, including Rep. Jerry Nadler, who is Jewish, expressed concerns that the bill would favor one specific definition of antisemitism, potentially stifling constitutionally-protected free speech.

The issue of defining antisemitism has become increasingly contentious, particularly amidst the ongoing college protests related to the conflict in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian protesters are calling on their respective institutions to divest funds from Israeli military operations. However, some Jewish students and elected officials have accused these protests of being antisemitic and have expressed fears for their safety.

It is important to note that some Jewish students have cautioned against conflating criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism, emphasizing the need to distinguish between legitimate political dissent and blanket portrayals of all protesters as antisemitic.

While the college protests have been largely peaceful, instances of violence have been reported, often involving non-students. School administrators across the country have acknowledged these incidents but have emphasized that they are not representative of the broader movement.

Last week, Speaker Mike Johnson visited Columbia University, where the protests originated, and strongly condemned the demonstrations. Alongside his New York Republican colleagues, Johnson called for the resignation of Columbia University President Minouche Shafik and even suggested the possibility of deploying the National Guard to address the protests. He also urged President Joe Biden to address the issue more assertively.

In a related development, Speaker Johnson recently announced that the House will be expanding its investigation into antisemitism on college campuses, specifically focusing on federal funding.

The passage of the Antisemitism Awareness Act underscores lawmakers' efforts to address concerns about antisemitism in higher education. However, the bill's opponents argue that it raises questions about the balance between addressing hate speech and protecting free expression, adding further complexity to the ongoing debate over free speech rights on college campuses.