A.G. Gancarski
When asked about Sen. Tim Kaine during the presidential campaign, Sen. Marco Rubio never had a negative word. Though Kaine eventually took aim at Rubio on behalf of Patrick Murphy, that clearly was just campaign rhetoric.
On Thursday, Rubio and Kaine came together to introduce an important bill in the United States Senate taking aim at anti-Semitism in Europe.
The bill requires enhanced reporting to Congress in the State Department’s yearly report on religious freedom, and directs the State Department to work with European partners to combat anti-Semitism on the continent.
Each senator offered a statement.
“I am deeply concerned with the recent harassment and violence seen across Europe against Jews in schools and synagogues, as well as certain governments amplifying anti-Semitic messages,” said Rubio. “America must prioritize working with European governments to combat this insidious global phenomenon. This bipartisan legislation will ensure the State Department has the information it needs to assess and understand the challenges so that we might combat European anti-Semitism in all its forms.”
“I am alarmed by the steady increase in anti-Semitism we’re witnessing in America and Europe. We must be vigilant in reporting any incidents of anti-Semitism to ensure the safety, security and inalienable rights of Jewish communities,” said Kaine. “This legislation will help the State Department and Europeans work together to combat anti-Semitism and protect religious freedom for Jews and society at large.”
The House version of this bill was introduced by the Bipartisan Taskforce for Combatting Anti-Semitism.
