Rosen-Backed Legislation to Strengthen State Department Role in Combating Anti-Semitism is Now Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism, released the following statement applauding news of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act of 2019 is now law. Rosen helped introduce this bipartisan and bicameral legislation to enhance the State Department’s role in combating and monitoring anti-Semitism around the world.

“We have a moral obligation to put a stop to the alarming rise of anti-Semitism we are seeing across the globe,” said Senator Rosen. “I helped introduce and pass this bipartisan legislation to ensure the State Department has the necessary tools and resources to combat anti-Semitism by elevating the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism to the rank of Ambassador. I’ll continue to work across the aisle to counter anti-Semitic hatred and bigotry, whether at home or abroad.” 

BACKGROUND: In January 2019, S.238, the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act of 2019, was introduced by Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Cory Gardner (R-CO), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). This bipartisan legislation elevates the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism to the rank of Ambassador, reporting directly to the Secretary of State and enabling sufficient seniority and access inside the U.S. government and when engaging foreign governments. The new law also mandates the Special Envoy to be the primary advisor to the U.S. government on monitoring and combating anti-Semitism. The House of Representatives and Senate both unanimously passed this bipartisan legislation last month.

Senator Rosen holds the distinction of being the third female Jewish Senator in U.S. history, as well as the first former synagogue president to serve in the United States Senate. As such, Senator Rosen has been an outspoken advocate of combating anti-Semitism in the United States, the Middle East, Europe, and around the world.

The Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act of 2019 is endorsed by Agudath Israel of America, Anti-Defamation League (ADL), American Jewish Committee (AJC), American Jewish Congress, American Zionist Movement, ARZA, B’nai B’rith International, Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, Hadassah – The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Jewish Federations of North America, MERCAZ USA, National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry, Orthodox Union, Simon Wiesenthal Center, Union for Reform Judaism, World Jewish Congress North America, and Zionist Organization of America.

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