Legislation authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) that provides critical support for the U.S. in the fight against anti-Semitism passed the House on Thursday.

“Mr. Speaker, today we are witnessing a chilling revival of anti-Semitic sentiment in many corners of the world,” said Smith, a co-chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force against Anti-Semitism, in his remarks on the House Floor on HR 1911, the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act. “In light of this, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive United States government approach to combating anti-Semitism, led by a strong, senior official.”

Smith’s legislation, HR 1911, upgrades the position of Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism at the State Department. Smith authored the original provisions of the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004 that created the position and office of the Special Envoy.

“By passing H.R. 1911 today, Congress is speaking with a loud clear bipartisan voice on the importance of this position and the message it sends to the world,” Smith said.

Under HR 1911, the Special Envoy position:

Would be elevated to the rank of Ambassador at the State Department and report directly to the Secretary of State

Would be the primary advisor to the U.S. government in monitoring and combating anti-Semitism

Would not be saddled with extraneous duties irrelevant to combating anti-Semitism

Must be filled (if vacant) through a nomination by the President within 90 days of HR 1911 becoming law

Smith was joined by other co-chairs of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism who cosponsored HR 1911: Reps. Nita Lowey (D-NY), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Kay Granger (R-TX), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Peter Roskam (R-IL), and Marc Veasey (D-TX).