DV Journal

Pennsylvania’s two U.S. senators, Dave McCormick and John Fetterman, are sponsoring a resolution opposing antisemitism.

Since the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel, antisemitism has grown in the United States, especially on college campuses. In 2024, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found 9,354 antisemitic incidents across the country. That represents a five percent increase from the 8,873 incidents recorded in 2023, a 344 percent increase over the past five years, and a 893 percent increase over the past 10 years.

It’s the highest number on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents 46 years ago.

The resolution mentions the June 1 attack on a peaceful gathering in Boulder, Colo., where an Egyptian illegal immigrant attacked a group that included an elderly Holocaust survivor with Molotov cocktails and a flamethrower.

And it cites the May 21 killing in Washington, D.C., of two young Israeli Embassy employees by a suspect who shouted “Free, free Palestine.”

And, it noted that the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion was set ablaze during Passover while Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family were asleep.

“Antisemitism has no place is America,” said McCormick (R). “Since Oct. 7, 2023, the Jewish community has faced unprecedented and persistent antisemitic hate and violence. This hatred cannot stand. Living in Squirrel Hill, right around the corner from the site of the devastating Tree of Life Synagogue attack in 2018, really brings this issue home for me. Protecting my friends and neighbors, and all Jewish people across the country, must be a national priority. I’m proud to team up with Sen. Fetterman, and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to unequivocally condemn the alarming surge in antisemitic hate across the country.”

“Amid a despicable rise in antisemitism, including the hateful arson at Gov. Shapiro’s home in Pennsylvania, the shocking violence in Boulder, and the deadly attack on the Israeli embassy staff in D.C., we are starkly reminded that silence is complicity,” said Fetterman (D). “These appalling attacks on our Jewish communities are not isolated events. After 11 lives were stolen at the Tree of Life massacre in 2018, I’ve felt an even stronger moral obligation to confront antisemitism wherever it appears and stand united against hate.”

Congressman Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) introduced the House version.

“This resolution sends a clear message, and I am proud to see it introduced in the Senate,” said Van Drew. “The United States will not tolerate the rise in violent antisemitism we are seeing across the country. Jewish Americans are being threatened, harassed, and attacked simply because of their faith, and that is completely unacceptable. I introduced this resolution because Congress has a responsibility to lead. We cannot look the other way when hatred and violence target our fellow Americans. The House stood together and made it clear that we are united in standing against antisemitism wherever it appears, and the Senate must do the same.”

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia released this statement: “The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia commends Sens. McCormick and Fetterman for introducing a bipartisan resolution condemning the alarming rise in antisemitism, including the recent attacks in Harrisburg, Washington, D.C., and Boulder. As our Jewish community continues to face growing threats of hate and violence, we are deeply grateful for the support of state leaders and allies who stand with us. Their commitment is vital to advancing meaningful, lasting change and ensuring the safety and dignity of all communities.”

The House voted 290-137 on Wednesday to stop railroad workers from striking. The unions had set a Dec. 9 strike deadline. On Monday, President Joe Biden urged Congress to act to prevent a strike that could cripple the U.S. economy just before Christmas.

The entire Delaware Valley House delegation—Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks/Montgomery), Madeleine Dean (D-Montgomery/Berks), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Delaware/Philadelphia), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Berks/Chester) voted for the resolution.

Fitzpatrick told “Fox News Sunday” congressional intervention was the last resort. But, he said, Congress “will not let this strike happen…It would be devastating to our economy. So, we’ll get to a resolution one way or another.”

The House also passed a separate measure giving rail workers seven days of paid sick leave per year with a 221-207 vote. Three Republicans supported it, including Fitzpatrick.

Dean said on Twitter: “Rail workers deserve more paid sick leave. And the pandemic made clear that we cannot risk the health & safety of others by coming into work sick. All workers need the ability to protect their families and coworkers—and the time to care for their own health.”

The 1926 Railway Labor Act gave Congress the authority to intervene in railroad labor disputes.

The Biden administration had previously brought together negotiators from the railroads and the unions and announced a deal. However, members of some unions rejected that deal, which includes a 24 percent way increase over the term of the contract and a 14.1 percent payout immediately that amounts to $16,000 to employees whose contracts are ratified.

The bill now goes to the Senate. It was unclear when that body will vote on it.  Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) declined to comment. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

However, the railroads and industries that rely on them to transport products urged the Senate to act.

“Today’s strong House vote to follow the clear majority pattern and implement remaining tentative agreements clearly underscores the overwhelming bipartisan support for Congress to heed President Biden’s call and quickly avert an economically destructive national rail shutdown without modification or delay,” said AAR CEO Ian Jefferies. “The Senate must now act quickly to implement the historic deals reached at the bargaining table and already ratified by eight of twelve unions. Unless Congress wants to become the de facto endgame for future negotiations, any effort to put its thumb on the bargaining scale to artificially advantage either party or otherwise obstruct a swift resolution would be wholly irresponsible and risk a timely outcome to avoid significant economic harm.”

Mike Sommers, CEO and president of the American Petroleum Institute said, “Rail transportation is a critical part of the U.S. supply chain and is essential to the continued production and delivery of affordable, reliable energy. A disruption has the potential to reach every aspect of the U.S. economy and could hamper the U.S. gasoline supply, leading to upward pressure on prices for American consumers and businesses. We are pleased the House has taken action on this issue and urge the Senate to do the same.”

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