1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

The Antisemitism Awareness Act aims to provide a standardized definition of antisemitism for the Department of Education to consider when reviewing potential Civil Rights Act violations based on shared Jewish ancestry or ethnicity. However, concerns have been raised that broadly applying this definition could unintentionally infringe on constitutionally protected free speech on college campuses. A balanced approach is needed to address the disturbing rise in antisemitism without compromising robust discourse that is vital to the academic environment. I urge thorough review and potential amendments to ensure the legislation strikes the right balance between combating discrimination and upholding free speech protections.