Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) today announced he will be co-sponsoring HR 672 the Combating European Anti-Semitism Act of 2017, which reflects his commitment to ensuring religious freedom and reducing religious persecution.

“It is right for the United States to combat anti-Semitism here at home and abroad, including the need to ensure the security of European Jewish communities,” said Congressman Bacon. “They should feel safe in their homes, synagogues, communities and anywhere else they travel.”

This legislation would require the Department of State’s Annual Report on International Religious Freedom to include, for each European country in which threats or attacks against Jewish persons, schools, and religious institutions are particularly significant, a description of:

• the security challenges and needs of European Jewish communities and European law enforcement agencies;
• U.S. efforts to partner with European law enforcement agencies and civil society groups to combat anti-Semitic incidents;
• educational programming and public awareness initiatives that impart values of pluralism and tolerance, showcase the positive contributions of Jews, and pay special attention to population segments that exhibit a high degree of anti-Semitic animus; and
• efforts by European governments to adopt and apply a working definition of anti-Semitism.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bi-partisan legislation passed in the House,” added Congressman Bacon.

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