Washington is witnessing a united front across party lines as lawmakers rally behind a landmark proposal to shield Sikh Americans from rising discrimination. The Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act 2025 (H.R. 7100), tabled by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), has now won the endorsement of Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), marking a key bipartisan milestone.
Lofgren, representing Silicon Valley’s substantial Sikh population and co-chairing the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, didn’t mince words. She pointed to escalating bias incidents and urged the Justice Department to treat them with the seriousness they deserve. ‘I’m proud to represent San Jose’s vibrant Sikh community, and I’ll fight to ensure our federal government combats anti-Sikh discrimination head-on,’ she affirmed.
Gottheimer’s initiative stems from grassroots input. After engaging with Sikh families and community heads in northern New Jersey, he crafted the bill to strengthen federal responses. It aims to refine how the government defines, monitors, and halts anti-Sikh hate crimes, promoting religious freedom without fear.
Passage of the act would trigger the creation of a specialized task force at the DOJ. Responsibilities include crafting a precise definition of anti-Sikh bias, rolling out educational campaigns in educational institutions, law enforcement, and campuses, and providing yearly updates to lawmakers. Major Sikh advocacy groups like the Sikh Coalition and others have thrown their weight behind it, calling for swift federal intervention.
The bill’s progress reflects broader anxieties about hate-motivated violence in the US, where Sikhs have faced attacks post-9/11 and beyond. By addressing these systematically, Congress signals a commitment to equity. With co-sponsorship from influential figures like Lofgren, the legislation is poised for serious consideration, potentially setting a precedent for other minority protections.