Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) is cosponsoring a bipartisan bill to strengthen the federal response to domestic antisemitism that has risen in recent years.
What the Bill Does
Specifically, Rep. Moskowitz's Jewish American Security Act enhances Title VI compliance standards for colleges and universities to protect Jewish students from harassment and discrimination, authorizes $1 billion toward helping synagogues' and Jewish community centers' security efforts, creates new grant opportunities for law enforcement protection of houses of worship across all religions, and improves transparency and accountability surrounding online antisemitism.
What Moskowitz is Saying
"Antisemitism is on the rise across our country, and the federal government has a responsibility to help protect Jewish communities," said Rep. Moskowitz in a press release. "When a man in my district made a plot against my life, I got lucky when authorities prevented it. But unfortunately, not everyone's story ends the same way."
The Florida congressman is referring to John Lapinski, a Margate man convicted in September of 25 years in federal prison for plotting to kill Moskowitz. Police found Lapinski stockpiling weapons and having detailed plans to attack Black and Jewish institutions, with racial slurs written on maps.
Moskowitz commented, "The Jewish American Security Act will strengthen critical security programs for synagogues and nonprofit organizations while also improving how we address antisemitism online. As more Jewish Americans continue to experience the effects of antisemitic hatred, Congress must act swiftly to pass this bipartisan legislation."
Scott Singer's Side
Former Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer, who is running against Moskowitz as a Republican, argued in a March interview with The Floridian that the Democratic Party has a more visible antisemitic strain, saying, "I think many Jewish voters and other voters who are supportive of Israel, whether evangelicals or just people who understand the importance Israel has in our America-oriented security interests, are going to find themselves more distant from a party they historically voted for."
