Lee Votes ‘NO’ on Misguided GOP Resolution Targeting Constitutionally-Protected Speech, Calls for Action to Protect Against Antisemitism on College Campuses That Accurately Represent Instances of Bigotry

“While I condemn antisemitism on college campuses in the strongest possible terms, this resolution as it is currently written misrepresents the events and responses on college students and seeks to restrict Constitutionally-protected free speech” says Lee

(Washington, DC) – Last night, Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12) voted ‘No’ on a Republican resolution opposed by J Street, FCNL, Just Foreign Policy, among other groups. The legislation while appropriately seeking to condemn the Hamas, Hezbollah, and other antisemitic group at institutions of higher education, mischaracterizes the events on college campuses that both does a disservice to Jewish students and sets a troubling precedent against constitutionally-protected speech. Lee has and continues to unequivocally condemn Hamas.

“The cases of antisemitism on college campuses and forums, such as the threatening statements towards Jews in Cornell, are wrong and horrifying. At a time when antisemitic threats are on the rise, it is vital that we ensure members of the Jewish community can feel safe and protected. I condemn all cases of antisemitism in the strongest possible terms. However, the resolution that was brought to the House floor yesterday fails to accurately describe certain events on college campuses, and implies that cases of antisemitism have gone unchallenged by university administration, which is false” said Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA). “The documented cases of antisemitism, as well as islamophobia and anti-Palestinian bigotry, are wrong and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms and seriously addressed. Resolutions that misrepresent events and target constitutionally-protected speech are insufficient in combating hate on college campuses and do a disservice to the trauma and pain that students across the country are facing.

Rep. Lee also condemned the antisemitic property damage in Frick Park earlier this week–saying “the antisemitic targeting of a Jewish community member’s property in Frick Park as we commemorate 5 years since the Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting is unacceptable and wrong. I condemn them in the strongest possible terms.” Rep. Lee has also been working to address antisemitism in Western Pennsylvania, helping secure $1 million in the latest House Appropriations bill for the Tree of Life Foundation to create a community gathering space to educate against antisemitism, and has also requested over $500,000 for the 10.27 Healing Partnership at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh. Rep. Lee also recently sponsored a resolution recognizing the fifth year commemoration of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting that was cosponsored by 63 House Democrats including all eight Democratic members of the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation. Rep. Lee has also introduced the Disarm Hate Act with Senator Bob Casey to prevent hate-fueled individuals from purchasing firearms.   

###