REPS. MENG, SMITH, MANNING, SALAZAR, WILD, KUSTOFF AND WASSERMAN SCHULTZ LEAD BIPARTISAN PUSH FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO OFFICE OF SPECIAL ENVOY TO MONITOR AND COMBAT ANTISEMITISM

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Kathy Manning (D-NC), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Susan Wild (D-PA), David Kustoff (R-TN) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) announced today that they are leading a bipartisan push to secure additional funding for the Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism.

In a letter to the chair and ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, the lawmakers requested $3 million for the Special Envoy’s annual budget for fiscal year 2025, an increase over the $1.75 million it received in fiscal year 2024. The correspondence is signed by a total of 76 Members of Congress, and the additional money would help the Special Envoy better fulfill its mission of developing and implementing policies and projects to fight antisemitism across the globe, which was already on the rise, but has surged since Hamas’s 10/7 attacks. Last year, Meng successfully led lawmakers in a similar effort to increase funding for the office.

The Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism is an entity of the U.S. State Department that was created by Congress in 2004. The role is currently filled by Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 2022 after President Biden nominated her for the position.

“The spike in antisemitic incidents around the world is deeply troubling,” said Rep. Meng. “These hateful and disgusting acts have no place anywhere in our society, and providing additional resources to the Special Envoy would greatly boost our efforts to combat this evil whenever and wherever it rears its ugly head. I have long been a supporter of the Special Envoy, constantly fighting for more funding and highlighting the crucial role that the position plays. In fact, I brought Ambassador Lipstadt – who is a Queens native – to my districtin the borough last summer where she addressed the increased attacks that the Jewish community has been forced to endure and U.S. efforts to fight it. I’m proud to again lead the call for additional funding and underscore the need for the Special Envoy to have the resources it requires.”

“As the author of the laws that createdand subsequently strengthenedthe role of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, I know how vital the office is—as antisemitism surges around the world,” said Rep. Smith. “In light of the October 7^th terrorist attack by Hamas, now more than ever this additional funding is needed to help ensure that we are fully equipped to meet and combat this pernicious manifestation of evil at every turn.”

“As Co-Chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combatting Antisemitism, I am proud to join my fellow Co-Chair, Representative Grace Meng, and colleagues on both sides of the aisle in calling for increased funding to support the vital work of the Office of the Special Envoy,” saidRep. Manning. “Given the stark and dangerous rise in antisemitism, we must continue supporting Ambassador Lipstadt and her office’s efforts to counter antisemitism wherever and whenever it appears. That is why it is critical that Congress and the State Department dedicate the staff and resources needed to enable the Special Envoy to help protect Jewish communities worldwide.”

“After October 7th, socialist leaders in Latin American unleashed a torrent of antisemitism,” said Rep. Salazar. “I was impressed with Deborah Lipstadt’s testimony at my hearing on antisemitism in Latin America. She and her office very clearly understand the real threat antisemitism poses to Jewish communities in our hemisphere, and I am proud to support additional funding for her office to continue this important work.”

“As a member of Congress, as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and as a Jewish American, I feel strongly that we have a responsibility to stand up against any and all forms of hate,” said Rep. Wild. “With antisemitic incidents around the globe on a disturbing uphill climb — including threats that recently hit my own district— I am proud to join my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in calling for proper resources and staff to be allocated to our Special Envoy for exactly this purpose.”

“Now more than ever, it is imperative Congress does all it can to combat the alarming rise in antisemitism across our nation and the world,” said Rep. Kustoff. “I am pleased to join my colleagues in this effort to ensure the Special Envoy has the funding and resources it needs to address this alarming spike in global antisemitism. This vile hatred has no place in our society, and I will continue to do all I can to support the Jewish community during this dark time.”

“At no time in recent decades have Jews worldwide felt more unsafe than they do now,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “Antisemitism is exploding, in neighborhoods and campuses across America, and throughout social media and communities worldwide. This toxic threat not only leaves millions of people living in fear, but it undermines democracy and the mutual respect that citizens and societies need to function and thrive. Providing vital added resources to the Special Envoy would greatly enhance our ability to confront this most ancient hatred around the world. I’m proud to join my bipartisan colleagues in pushing for these critical resources.”

"As we face a crisis of rising global antisemitism with incidents and attitudes at historic highs in the U.S and around the world, the Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism is more important than ever," said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the ADL (Anti-Defamation League). "We thank Reps. Meng, Smith, Manning, Salazar, Wild, Kustoff, and Wasserman Schultz for leading the effort in the House of Representatives to ensure this office has the resources it needs to meet these challenges and to successfully carry out its important mission and mandate. This includes ensuring the office has the necessary staff to meet the demand and fulfill its critical role advocating for the safety and security of Jewish communities around the world.”

“Antisemitism is a tangible threat not only to Jews, but also to the very fabric of democratic societies,” said Ted Deutch, CEO of American Jewish Committee. “The U.S. Government, through the work of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, is committed to countering this hate across the globe. However, with antisemitism on the rise, especially after Hamas’ October 7th attack on Israel, more resources are needed. That is why American Jewish Committee supports increased funding for the Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism and applauds Congressional leaders for their vital efforts to ensure our government is poised to lead efforts to understand, respond to, and prevent antisemitism.”

“The Jewish Federations of North America are deeply supportive of the mandate of the Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism,” said Karen Paikin Barall, Vice President of Government Affairs at the Jewish Federations of North America. “The need to effectively combat antisemitism is getting more dire by the day, and we believe the increase in funding and the call urging adequate staffing for the office included in this letter will help more effectively push back against this age-old hatred. As antisemitism around the globe is on the rise, the work of the Special Envoy is as important as ever. We are extremely grateful for the leadership on this issue displayed by the signatories of this letter, and sincerely hope that this increase in funding will be included in the FY25 budget.”

Among the Special Envoy’s crucial roles is encouraging and advising foreign governments to take steps that ensure the safety and security of their respective Jewish communities, including developing national action plans and appointing national coordinators.

The letter from the Congressmembers also calls for ensuring that the Office of the Special Envoy is appropriately staffed, a challenge it currently faces. Adequate staffing would make sure the critical work to combat antisemitism continues uninterrupted well into the future.

In addition to leading the letter, Meng, Smith and Manning serve as Co-Chairs of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, and Salazar, Wild, Kustoff and Wasserman Schultz serve as members of the task force.  

The State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Subcommittee sets funding levels for the Special Envoy. Congresswoman Meng is the Vice Ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee.

A copy of the letter can be viewed here and the text is below.

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Dear Chairman Diaz-Balart and Ranking Member Lee,

As you consider the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill, we respectfully request that you provide $3 million for the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism and report language to ensure adequate staffing levels to provide continuity and stability for ongoing operations.

Antisemitism is a tangible and growing threat faced by Jewish communities both in the United States and around the world. Following the October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel, antisemitism— including physical violence against Jewish people and property damage and security against community centers, Jewish day schools, and synagogues—has risen dramatically. Antisemitic incidents increased by 738 percent in Australia and by 1,000 percent in France in the two months following the attacks. In Latin America, Jewish centers have received bomb threats and authorities have arrested operatives who were allegedly planning attacks on Jewish institutions. In Tunisia, rioters set a historic synagogue aflame. At this critical moment when Jewish communities are wondering whether they can live proudly, openly, and safely, American leadership in the global fight against antisemitism is more important than ever.

The Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism plays a vital role in the fight against global antisemitism by developing and implementing policies and projects focused on preventing discrimination, prejudice, or hatred toward the Jewish community around the world, in accordance with U.S. government’s interests. The office encourages and advises foreign governments on best practices to ensure the safety and security of their respective Jewish communities, including developing national action plans and appointing national coordinators.

Over the last three years, Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt and her team have visited more than twenty-five countries, met with foreign leaders and civil society representatives, and traveled domestically to raise awareness about the rise in global antisemitism, how to spot antisemitism, and why antisemitism represents a growing threat. The Special Envoy has also convened global counterparts to discuss best practices to address the challenges facing their Jewish communities and to discuss coexistence and tolerance. While we applaud the efficient deployment of current staff and resources, the Special Envoy’s office needs more support to fully meet the global need to engage on the important issues within its purview. Additional countries could benefit from engaging with or receiving an official visit from the Special Envoy or a member of her team. We understand that the Special Envoy and other officials within the Office have had to decline invitations for international and domestic engagements of great value to their mission solely due to lack of resources. Additional resources would allow for increased attention and further specialization by the Special Envoy and staff to address the serious and ongoing challenges that antisemitism presents around the globe.

We also draw your attention to one of the ongoing challenges facing the Special Envoy’s office: the lack of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff positions. Staff in an FTE position provide continuity of knowledge, stability, and predictability integral to the continued operation and success of an office or bureau, especially during times of transition. Without adequate FTE staff positions in the Special Envoy’s Office, critical programs and efforts can risk falling by the wayside, hampering our shared goal of rooting out antisemitism across the globe. Additionally, providing adequate FTE staff positions is more cost effective than the current overreliance on contractors. Allocating additional FTE staff positions to the Special Envoy’s Office would ensure that this critical work to combat antisemitism continues uninterrupted well into the future.

Therefore, we request the inclusion of the following report language:

“The Committee remains concerned by the lack of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions within the Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism and its impact on the stability and continuity of operations of the Office. The Committee urges the Department of State to aggressively pursue its hiring goals of FTEs. The Committee understands that a robust workforce is critical for the longevity and sustainability of essential programs and offices that address ongoing challenges and emergency crises around the world. Further, the Committee encourages the Department to ensure that FTEs hired with this funding are adequately assigned across offices, including the Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism which plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and security of Jewish communities around the world.”

To support these important efforts, we urge you to include $3 million for the Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, along with the above report language. This increase in funding will make clear to the world the United States’ steadfast commitment to combating antisemitism, helping the Special Envoy continue to address the alarming spike in global antisemitism, and advancing opportunities to engage with like-minded international partners. Jewish communities around the world who feel especially vulnerable to the United States as a beacon of hope and the leader of the global response to rising antisemitism.

Thank you for your support of the Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism and for your consideration of this request to ensure robust funding and the necessary staffing levels are provided to combat this rising hate across the globe.

Sincerely,