Cape News

Speaker Johnson and several committee chairs have released a comprehensive report on antisemitism following an extensive investigation into its presence on college campuses and within government. The House Antisemitism Staff Report, resulting from over seven months of inquiry, was presented in Washington by Speaker Johnson along with Chairman Jason Smith, Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, Chairman Jim Jordan, Chairman James Comer, Chairman Mike Bost, and Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Chairman Morgan Griffith.

The initiative was launched by Speaker Johnson in April after a noticeable rise in campus antisemitism connected to the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. The investigation involved multiple committees including Ways and Means, Education and Workforce, Energy and Commerce, Judiciary, Oversight, and Veterans Affairs.

"Over the past seven months," Speaker Johnson stated, "these committees have done important work. They’ve heard from government agencies, students, and universities... It’s our intent to take this report...and act."

Chairman Smith highlighted issues with tax-exempt organizations allegedly funding terrorism: "Since Hamas’s attack on Israel...American-based tax-exempt organizations have funneled or are suspected of funneling taxpayer dollars to terrorist organizations like Hamas." He mentioned the recent passage of legislation aimed at addressing these concerns.

Chairwoman Foxx emphasized accountability in higher education: "On October 8th...antisemitic hatred was alive...at American institutions of so-called ‘higher’ education."

Concerns were also raised about the administration's handling of visa holders linked to law violations. Chairman Jordan noted that there was a lack of accountability for foreign nationals violating visa terms.

Chairman Comer discussed his experiences at George Washington University where he witnessed antisemitic activities: "Radical pro-Hamas left-wing individuals openly paraded antisemitism in a coordinated effort to intimidate Jewish students..."

The report's findings indicated failures by universities to address antisemitism effectively. Recommendations include stricter enforcement of conduct rules by universities and increased accountability measures from both Congress and the Executive Branch.

"This report is a great step forward," Majority Leader Scalise commented regarding future actions needed to tackle campus antisemitism. Whip Emmer added that there would be no tolerance for such behavior on campuses moving forward.

In conclusion, Conference Vice Chair Moore remarked that while progress has been made with this report's release, efforts must continue towards fostering academic environments supportive of religious freedom.