U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy has called on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to investigate antisemitism and discrimination against Jewish workers following the October 7 attack on Israel. As the ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Cassidy emphasized the need for EEOC to address religion-based discrimination charges effectively.
“EEOC needs to address religion-based discrimination charges to protect Jewish and Israeli workers in the face of rising antisemitism,” stated Dr. Cassidy. He highlighted a significant increase in antisemitic incidents since October 7, noting that such occurrences have risen by 360 percent nationwide.
The senator pointed out that complaints related to religion-based discrimination have more than doubled since fiscal year 2021. However, there is limited information from EEOC regarding how many of these complaints involve antisemitism or if any enforcement actions have been taken. Cassidy seeks clarity from EEOC on its approach to handling these complaints and ensuring protection for Jewish workers.
Earlier this month, Cassidy introduced legislation known as the Union Members Right to Know Act. This legislation aims to prevent unions from using member dues to promote antisemitism or other hateful ideologies without worker consent.
In his letter addressed to Chair Burrows of the EEOC, Cassidy expressed concern over workplace discrimination charges amid reports of increasing antisemitic incidents following Hamas’ attack on Israel last year. He stressed that “EEOC must provide detailed data involving religion-based discrimination.”
Cassidy requested specific information from EEOC regarding religion-based discrimination charges received since October 7, 2023, including those involving harassment of Jewish employees and other religious groups such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism.
The senator also asked about investigations resulting from these charges and their current status while seeking details on instances where EEOC intervened beyond initial investigations or filed suits on behalf of charging parties.
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