Bill
HRES 1239
Condemns antisemitic rhetoric by online personalities and urges platforms and leaders to denounce and curb such content to protect Jewish safety online and offline.
Title: Condemning antisemitic hate-filled rhetoric and content disseminated by prominent online personalities, and urging social media platforms and public leaders to denounce and address such conduct
Purpose and goal
- To condemn antisemitic rhetoric and disinformation disseminated by influential online personalities.
- To urge social media and streaming platforms, as well as public leaders and officials, to denounce such conduct and take steps to address it.
- To reaffirm the United States’ commitment to combating antisemitism and protecting Jewish individuals and communities online and offline.
Main provisions and statements
- Recognition of the rising influence of digital media platforms, enabling high-audience individuals to spread disinformation, hate, and political viewpoints.
- Acknowledgement that antisemitism has surged in the U.S. and globally, with online disinformation and extremist rhetoric identified as major contributing factors.
- Specific examples of antisemitic content and rhetoric by prominent online personalities:
- Hasan Piker: has used antisemitic rhetoric, expressed support for Hamas, made statements minimizing Hamas atrocities, and claimed Hamas is more desirable than Israel in various contexts.
- Candace Owens: has promoted conspiracy theories accusing Israel of controlling the U.S. government, implied Jews are taught to hate non-Jews, and spread antisemitic tropes (blood libel references, Holocaust denial context, etc.). Examples cited include:
- Feb 1, 2026: Post alleging the U.S. is controlled by “satanic pedophiles who work for Israel.”
- Dec 8, 2025: Podcast appearance with claims that Jews are responsible for harming Christian children via religious rituals; assertion that Jewish texts promote sexual assault of children.
- July 2024: Dismissal of Holocaust crimes as “bizarre propaganda.”
- Feb 21, 2025: Hosted E. Michael Jones who urged anti-Hollywood narratives about the Holocaust.
- The bill emphasizes that amplification of antisemitic narratives online can lead to real-world harm, including harassment, intimidation, and violence against Jewish individuals, institutions, and communities.
- A call for responsibility among officials, leaders, and technology companies to confront and condemn antisemitism in online discourse and influencer-driven media.
Resolutions and directives
- Sense of the House of Representatives that:
1) Antisemitic rhetoric and conspiracy theories disseminated by influential online personalities (including Hasan Piker and Candace Owens) are dangerous and foster a climate of hatred and intolerance.
2) Individuals with online platforms have a responsibility not to promote or amplify antisemitic narratives and disinformation.
3) Social media and streaming platforms should enforce their policies against hate speech and curb the spread of antisemitic content.
4) Public officials and community leaders should unequivocally condemn antisemitism, including when propagated by high-profile media figures.
5) Efforts to downplay or excuse antisemitic rhetoric as political commentary should be rejected.
6) The United States reaffirms its commitment to combating antisemitism and protecting Jewish safety and dignity online and offline.
Sponsors and co-sponsors
- Prime sponsor: Representative Gottheimer (with a bipartisan list of initial cosponsors)
- Notable co-sponsors include: Mike Lawler, Ed Case, Jared Moskowitz, Jared Golden, Tom Suozzi, Susie Lee, Andrew Garbarino, Hillary Scholten, Greg Landsman, Lois Frankel, Deb Wasserman Schultz, George Latimer, Vicente Gonzalez, Josh Gottheimer, Carlos Giménez, Brad Schneider, Donald Norcross, Don Bacon, Laura Gillen, Darren Soto, Elise Stefanik, among others.
Procedural status and timeline
- Introduced in the House on April 30, 2026.
- Referred to the House Judiciary Committee and, in addition, to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for consideration of provisions falling within their jurisdictions. Specific timelines are to be determined by the Speaker.
Impact and scope
- Non-binding resolution expressing the sense of the House rather than enacting new law.
- Aims to shape public discourse, encourage platform accountability, and bolster public condemnation of antisemitic content by high-profile online personalities.
- Signals bipartisan concern about antisemitism linked to online influencers and the platforms that disseminate their content.
- Could influence future legislative or regulatory actions focused on online hate speech, platform accountability, and public official condemnation of antisemitism, though the resolution itself does not mandate specific policy changes.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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