Cotton, McConnell Announce Bill to Combat Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes

Press Release

Washington, D.C. -- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) today announced they are introducing the Preventing Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes Act, legislation to combat the dramatic rise of anti-Semitic hate crimes in the United States.

"Anti-Semitism has no place in the United States. The Department of Justice must take immediate, decisive action to stop the shocking rise of hate crimes targeting the American Jewish community. Our bill will ensure the racist criminals committing these crimes are prosecuted and held accountable," said Cotton.

"The uptick in hateful anti-Semitic attacks is disgusting and totally unacceptable. From anti-Israel efforts like the BDS movement to violent crimes on American streets, we must confront anti-Semitism every single place it rears its ugly head. Our legislation will support state and local law enforcement and ensure the bigoted thugs and criminals who are attacking Jewish Americans face the full force of American justice,"said McConnell.

Background:

The FBI reports that more than 60 percent of all hate crimes against any religious group in the United States are directed against Jewish Americans. In recent weeks, media coverage has also indicated that there is a surge in these antisemitic hate crimes in the United States, fueled by activists and sympathizers of the terrorist group, Hamas. The bill, which will be formally introduced next week, will ensure that the Department of Justice appropriately prioritizes this growing hate crime threat, and that it works to augment state and local law enforcement efforts to prevent and respond to antisemitic hate crimes.

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