Rep. María Elvira Salazar Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Jewish Americans and Combat Antisemitism

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in introducing the Jewish American Security Act (H.R. 9211), landmark legislation that would strengthen federal efforts to combat antisemitism and enhance protections for Jewish communities across the United States.

The legislation, led by Representatives Dan Goldman (NY-10) and Mike Lawler (NY-17), comes amid a disturbing rise in antisemitic incidents nationwide, including recent violent attacks in Colorado, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. The bill establishes a comprehensive Six-Point Security Plan designed to protect Jewish Americans, Jewish institutions, and Jewish students while improving coordination across federal, state, and local agencies. Companion legislation in the Senate is led by Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and James Lankford (R-OK).

"The alarming rise in antisemitism is a stain on our nation and a threat to the values that define us as Americans. Jewish Americans deserve to worship freely, raise their families in peace, and feel safe in their communities," said Rep. Salazar. "I am proud to support the bipartisan Jewish American Security Act because it takes meaningful steps to strengthen security for Jewish institutions, protect Jewish students, and confront the spread of antisemitism online. We must stand united against hate and send a clear message: antisemitism has no place in America."

"The shocking and continuing rise of antisemitism in the last few years requires immediate and decisive action," said Rep. Dan Goldman. "I am proud to introduce the bipartisan, bicameral Jewish American Security Act, which puts into motion a course of action that will greatly improve the safety of Jewish Americans and Jewish institutions. I will continue to lead the fight for Jewish Americans' right to attend school, worship together, and go online without facing hate and violence."

"Freedom of religion is a fundamental constitutional right in the United States. Americans should feel safe practicing their religion, but unfortunately there have been a number of attacks at our nation's synagogues. My legislation with Rep. Goldman tackles this issue by enhancing funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). This bill also delivers critical protections for Jewish students on college campuses through stronger Title VI enforcement, requires greater transparency from online platforms on antisemitic content, and establishes key threat assessments. We must act decisively so Jewish Americans can feel safe in their schools, synagogues, and online," said Rep. Mike Lawler.

"No American should need a security perimeter to pray. No American should be afraid to leave their home or visit a cultural center of their choosing. Yet, that is exactly what Jews in this country are experiencing every day," said American Jewish Committee (AJC) CEO Ted Deutch. "We are at an inflection point. Surging antisemitism is not just a threat to the Jewish community; it is a crisis for our democracy and the values we cherish as Americans - pluralism, religious freedom, and the promise of equal protection. We thank Representatives Goldman and Lawler for their leadership and demonstrating that confronting this hatred is not a political issue, but a moral obligation."

"The data is unambiguous: Jewish Americans are under threat in their communities, on their campuses and online, and the federal government must act," said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. "ADL's Audit of Antisemitic Incidents recorded 6,274 incidents in 2025 alone, including 203 physical assaults, the most we have ever recorded, and three murders. The Jewish American Security Act meets this moment with the seriousness it demands. By strengthening the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, bolstering protections for Jewish students, and increasing accountability for online platforms, this bill equips law enforcement, educators, and communities with the tools they need to respond. We commend Representatives Goldman and Lawler for their bipartisan commitment to combating antisemitism and standing up for Jewish Americans, and we urge Congress to pass this legislation without delay."

Specifically, the Jewish American Security Act would: 

• Reauthorize the FEMA'S National Security Grant Program (NGSP) at $1 billion through 2031.
• Authorize $9 billion annually for the Department of Justice (DOJ) from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to:
• Bolster state and local law enforcement efforts at religious institutions;
• Respond to the growing rise in religiously motivated hate crimes
• Enhance coordination between state and local law enforcement agencies and the DOJ.
• Call on the FBI, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the National Counterterrorism Center to produce a joint annual domestic threat assessment that reports on antisemitic violent extremism for a 10-year period and outline the following:
• An overview of violent extremist ideologies that include antisemitic components
• The extent to which individuals in the U.S. have engaged in violent conduct to advance these ideologies
• The origins of online platforming of antisemitic domestic violent extremist ideologies, including the involvement of foreign state and non-state actors
• The threat that antisemitic domestic violent extremism poses to the U.S. homeland
• Direct the Department of Education to appoint an Antisemitism Coordinator.
• Direct large online platforms with at least 50 million monthly U.S. users to submit recurring transparency reports to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and publish those reports detailing how they identify, moderate, remove, demonetize, deprioritize, and limit the spread of antisemitic content on their platforms.

For the full text of the Bill, click here.

Background: Rep. Salazar's Record of Action Representing one of the nation's largest Jewish communities, Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar has been a leading voice in the fight against antisemitism and a steadfast advocate for the safety and security of Jewish Americans.

Her efforts include:

• Strengthening Federal Action: Cosponsored the Countering Antisemitism Act to strengthen the federal government's response to antisemitism and has consistently supported funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which helps synagogues, Jewish day schools, and community centers enhance security.
• Standing with Israel: Following the October 7 terrorist attacks, Rep. Salazar has been an outspoken defender of Israel's right to exist and defend itself while forcefully condemning antisemitism around the world. She also co-led a bipartisan effort urging the State Department to respond to Colombian President Gustavo Petro's antisemitic rhetoric and actions targeting Israel.
• Honoring Holocaust Heroes: Wrote the Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act (P.L.118-149), which was signed into law in 2024. legislation supported by more than half of the House of Representatives. This law awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to 60 diplomats who risked their lives to save hundreds of thousands of Jews fleeing Nazi persecution.
• Leading the Fight Against Antisemitism in the Americas: As Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Rep. Salazar convened the hearing The Agents of Antisemitism in Latin America to examine the rise of antisemitism across the region and expose the actors spreading hate and extremism.
• Protecting Jewish Students: As a member of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, Rep. Salazar has supported efforts to strengthen civil rights protections and ensure schools and universities respond decisively to antisemitic harassment and discrimination.

Rep. Salazar remains committed to advancing policies that protect Jewish Americans, strengthen security for Jewish institutions, and confront antisemitism with the urgency and seriousness this moment demands.