Comprehensive bipartisan legislation would protect Jewish communities, students and institutions through coordinated federal action
New York, NY, May 19, 2026 … ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today welcomed the introduction of the Jewish American Security Act, a comprehensive, bipartisan bill introduced by Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and James Lankford (R-OK) to combat the alarming rise of antisemitism across the United States. The legislation takes decisive action to protect Jewish communities, students, and institutions by strengthening the federal government's ability to prevent and respond to antisemitic hate, violence, discrimination and intimidation, across all sectors.
The bill comes at a critical moment for American Jews. According to ADL's most recent Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, 2025 was one of the most violent years for American Jews, with 203 assaults, the highest number ADL has ever recorded, including 32 incidents involving a deadly weapon. Three people were killed in antisemitic attacks in 2025, the first murders as a result of antisemitic violence in the U.S. since 2019. ADL recorded 6,274 antisemitic incidents across the United States in 2025, the third-highest year on record since ADL began tracking in 1979, and five times higher than a decade ago. In 2025, there was an average of 17 antisemitic incidents per day, compared to an average of eight per day between 2020 and 2022.
Additionally, ADL recorded 1,129 antisemitic incidents at Jewish institutions alone in 2025, and while incidents on college campuses decreased significantly, they remained nearly three times higher than in 2021. At K-12 schools, incident levels remained largely unchanged, underscoring the urgent need for greater educational investment and stronger federal protections for Jewish students at all levels.
No state was spared – with antisemitic incidents taking place in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
"The data is unambiguous: Jewish Americans are under threat in their communities, on their campuses and online, and the federal government must act,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of ADL. “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 Senators Rosen and Lankford, and Congressmen Goldman and Smith for their bipartisan commitment to combating antisemitism and standing up for Jewish Americans, and we urge Congress to pass this legislation without delay.”
Keeping Jewish Communities Safe
The Jewish American Security Act dramatically strengthens physical security for vulnerable Jewish institutions and communities. At its core, the bill authorizes up to $1 billion annually for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which provides critical funding for security enhancements at synagogues, Jewish community centers, day schools and other at-risk nonprofits.
ADL has been a leading advocate for NSGP funding, successfully securing a $30 million increase in NSGP funding for fiscal year 2026, and this legislation would take that commitment to an entirely new level. The legislation also authorizes the Department of Justice to award grants to state and local law enforcement to support increased protective patrols and training around religious institutions, a provision that directly responds to the wave of physical violence and threats facing Jewish communities nationwide.
Keeping Jewish Students Safe
The legislation takes sweeping action to protect Jewish students on college campuses and in K-12 schools. It requires every Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) regional office to provide annual Title VI trainings to federally funded recipients for five years, ensures a public awareness campaign explaining students' rights and schools' responsibilities under Title VI, and mandates annual "dear colleague" letters reminding schools of their Title VI obligations.
Critically, the bill creates a dedicated Antisemitism Coordinator at the Department of Education, who will lead efforts to address antisemitism, review OCR antisemitism-related cases biannually, and conduct annual reviews to assess and improve federal antisemitism efforts. A new online Clearinghouse at the Department of Education will serve as the primary federal resource for schools to access civil rights best practices and safety guidance. ADL has long called for proactive and comprehensive approaches to addressing antisemitism in K-12 schools through clear definitions, robust education, consistent enforcement and fact-based curricula.
Keeping Jews Safe Online
ADL's research makes clear that online platforms are failing to adequately address the proliferation of antisemitism and that this failure has real-world consequences. A recent ADL report found that Instagram removed just 7 percent of hateful and extremist content reported by researchers, with white supremacist networks, terrorist group supporters, and Nazi merchandise vendors operating freely on the platform.
Recognizing the link between online antisemitism and real-world violence, the Jewish American Security Act requires social media platforms with at least 50 million active monthly U.S. users to publish public, biannual transparency reports to the Federal Trade Commission detailing their moderation practices and approaches to antisemitic content. The bill also requires an annual Congressional report analyzing trends linking online antisemitic content to real-world violence and offering policy recommendations to promote greater transparency and accountability.
ADL has long advocated for comprehensive federal action to counter antisemitism, including through research, advocacy and model legislation at the state and federal level. The Jewish American Security Act reflects ADL’s call for a coordinated, society-wide response to a threat that endangers not only Jewish communities but the values of safety, tolerance and democracy that define the American way of life.
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913 to protect the Jewish people, ADL works to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and secure justice and fair treatment to all. In the face of rising antisemitism and extremism, we protect, advocate, and educate, through a mix of programs and services using the latest innovations and technology, and seek to create a world without hate.