Republican Governors Call on U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to Take Action and Reinforce the Civil Rights of Jewish Community

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the U.S. Senate sits on legislation to reinforce the civil rights of the Jewish community less than one month away from the first anniversary of October 7, Republican governors have united to demand that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer take action now and pass legislation to show support for the nation’s Jewish population.

The governors wrote:

“We are less than one month away from the first anniversary of October 7, when Hamas terrorists brutally murdered, raped, tortured, and kidnapped Israeli and American citizens. This tragedy is far from over as we recently received the devastating news that six innocent hostages were murdered in cold blood, including one American citizen. There are still more than 60 hostages presumed to be alive being held captive in Gaza, that we pray do not meet the same fate. Meanwhile, we have all watched the horrific rise of overt antisemitism on display in our own nation. As students across the country return to college campuses, we must send a unified and clear message that antisemitism will not be tolerated in America.

“Action needs to be taken now to reinforce the civil rights of our Jewish community in the wake of these tragedies. We ask you to take immediate action to pass H.R. 6090, the Antisemitism Awareness Act (AAA), codifying the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism and its 11 accompanying examples. In May, this legislation passed with an overwhelming, bipartisan majority in the U.S. House with a vote of 320-91 and there is no reason for it to languish in the Senate without a vote. In fact, the companion legislation in the Senate, S.4127 already boasts 30 bipartisan cosponsors. The passing of this legislation is critical to combatting violent acts of antisemitism that are taking place across America.

“Republican governors across the nation have unanimously supported the adoption of the IHRA working definition at the state level, and now we call upon the U.S. Senate to show support for our nation’s Jewish population at this time of growing attacks against their religion. Our nation was founded on freedom of religion, and this legislation reaffirms our commitment that people can live, learn, and prosper safely. There is no place for hate in our great nation.”

Read the letter in full here.

All signatories include: Governor Kay Ivey (AL), Governor Mike Dunleavy (AK), Governor Sarah Sanders (AR), Governor Ron DeSantis (FL), Governor Brian Kemp (GA), Governor Brad Little (ID), Governor Eric Holcomb (IN), Governor Kim Reynolds (IA), Governor Jeff Landry (LA), Governor Tate Reeves (MS), Governor Mike Parson (MO), Governor Greg Gianforte (MT), Governor Jim Pillen (NE), Governor Joe Lombardo (NV), Governor Chris Sununu (NH), Governor Doug Burgum (ND), Governor Mike DeWine (OH), Governor Kevin Stitt (OK), Governor Henry McMaster (SC), Governor Kristi Noem (SD), Governor Bill Lee (TN), Governor Greg Abbott (TX), Governor Spencer Cox (UT), Governor Glenn Youngkin (VA), Governor Jim Justice (WV), and Governor Mark Gordon (WY).

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