Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) introduced legislation to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI

Legislation would protect students from religious bias

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

(JTA) — Two Jewish U.S. lawmakers have introduced legislation to protect students from religious discrimination.

Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) last Friday announced the introduction of legislation that would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964, whose Title VI prohibits discrimination based on “race, color, or national origin,” to include religion as well.

“All students should be protected from discrimination and harassment on the basis of their religion as well as their race, color, and national origin,” Specter said in a statement. “We need to close the loophole that allows students to be harassed and threatened because of their religion.