H.R. 4087: Define to Defeat Act of 2025

The bill, known as the Define to Defeat Act of 2025, aims to create a clear definition of antisemitism for the purpose of enforcing civil rights laws in the United States. Here are the key components of the bill:

Short Title

The bill is officially titled the "Define to Defeat Act of 2025."

Findings

Congress states several findings regarding antisemitism:

• The bill endorses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, considering it objective and clear.
• It acknowledges that antisemitism is a persistent issue in the United States, with Jewish individuals often being targeted as a minority group.
• It highlights the responsibility of U.S. officials and institutions to protect citizens from hate acts motivated by antisemitism.
• It recognizes that having a uniform definition is essential for effective monitoring and policymaking.
• The IHRA definition is already used by various federal agencies and is endorsed by multiple international organizations.

Inclusion in Anti-Discrimination Training

The leaders of federal departments and agencies are required to include the defined term "antisemitism" in all available anti-discrimination training and education materials.

Jury Instructions

In any federal criminal or civil cases dealing with antisemitism, courts must provide jury instructions that include the definition of antisemitism.

Rules for Civil Rights Laws

When evaluating violations of civil rights laws based on race, religion, ethnicity, or national origin connected to Jewish identity, federal agencies must consider whether antisemitism was a motivating factor behind the potential violation.

Additional Rules of Construction

The bill includes specific clarifications stating that:

• It does not expand the enforcement authority of federal agencies regarding civil rights laws.
• It does not change how violations of civil rights laws are determined.
• It does not infringe upon existing legal rights, particularly those protected under the First Amendment.

Definitions

Key definitions provided in the bill include:

• Antisemitism: Defined as per the IHRA on May 26, 2016, encompassing various forms of antisemitism.
• Covered Civil Rights Law: Includes several significant laws, such as:
  • Title I of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
  • Multiple titles of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
  • Section 1977 of the Revised Statutes.
  • The Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974.
  • Section 249 of Title 18, U.S. Code.

Relevant Companies

None found.