Press Releases

Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL) released the following statement on H.R. 6090: 

“The steady rise of antisemitism is dangerous and deeply disturbing. As the grandchild of a man killed in the Holocaust, I never thought I would see this dramatic increase in antisemitism in my country in my lifetime. It’s critical we work to tackle this hatred with real, effective action. Unfortunately, HR. 6090 is not that. It’s a misguided, ineffective attempt at getting to the root of this issue. The antisemitism so many American Jews face is not abstract. I’ve heard from many Vermonters and Jewish friends across the country that they are scared - scared to go to synagogue and observe holidays. Their children are afraid to be identified as Jewish. This shocks and sickens me.

“We must work diligently to ensure antisemitism, and hate of any kind, cannot survive in America. We must also support freedom of speech. Criticism of Israel and its devastating campaign in Gaza is not by itself antisemitic. Attacking Jews for being Jewish, however, is overtly antisemitic and is exactly what so many are facing right now. Today’s bill would be a violation of the Civil Rights Act. And adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition would equate protected political speech with unprotected discrimination, risking the Department of Education’s efforts to combat discrimination.” 

“Addressing rising antisemitism requires serious action – not performative bills that attempt to score political points instead of confronting the clear and present threats to Jewish Americans. ”