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President Signs Schneider Bill to Elevate Antisemitism Envoy to Ambassador

January 15, 2021

WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, The President of the United States signed into law legislation authored by Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), Chris Smith (NJ-4), and Eliot Engel (NY-16) that would elevate the State Department's Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism to an Ambassadorship, giving more clout to address the alarming rise in antisemitism worldwide. The House voted overwhelmingly to pass H.R. 221 in January 2019 and the Senate amended and approved the legislation in December 2020.

"With the world experiencing accelerated increases in open expressions of antisemitism, including violent attacks on Jewish communities around the globe, America is reaffirming our commitment to stamping out hate wherever and whenever it manifests," said Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10). "America has a moral imperative to say something in the face of rising antisemitism. Globally, Jews are being told to not publicly wear a yarmulke or other outward symbols of their Jewish identity. Throughout Europe, and increasingly here at home, armed guards are posted outside synagogues, Jewish schools and community centers. Entire communities are living in fear. As an Ambassador-at-large, the Special Envoy will report directly to the Secretary of State, giving them the clout and seniority to lead the fight.

"I want to thank Congressman Chris Smith and former House Foreign Affairs Chairman Eliot Engel for working hard to keep this fight bipartisan and I look forward to continuing our work together to ensure the safety of Jewish communities across the globe."

The bill was endorsed by numerous organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, B'nai B'rith International, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the American Jewish Committee, Hadassah, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and the Jewish Federations of North America.