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October 9, 2026 - WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and James Lankford (R-OK), co-founders and co-chairs of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, and Representative Wesley Bell (D-MO-01) have called on the Senate and House Armed Services Committees to retain a provision in the final 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requiring the Department of Defense to establish a single, department-wide policy on hate symbols. Existing hate symbol policies vary across branches of military service, creating inconsistent standards and potential enforcement gaps when it comes to addressing the display of hateful imagery, including swastikas and nooses. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Rosen secured the provision in the Senate version of the annual defense bill.

“This lack of uniformity makes it harder to prevent, identify, and address symbols that promote hate, and can even allow displays to go unaddressed depending on branch-specific rules,” wrote the lawmakers. “These symbols include swastikas and nooses, potent symbols of hate that have long been used to intimidate, harass, and discriminate against Jewish and Black communities.”

“When symbols associated with violent extremism, racial supremacy, or targeted intimidation appear in military workplaces, they undermine unit cohesion, erode morale, and threaten the good order and discipline upon which military readiness depends,” they continued. “Our bipartisan provision, incorporated in both the Senate and House FY27 NDAAs, provides a practical path forward. By requiring the DoD to establish clear, context-based standards, update guidance for commanders and investigators, and provide training to the force, the provision will ensure that there are consistent definitions, enforcement, and accountability across components.”

Read the full letter HERE.

As the third Jewish woman to ever serve in the U.S. Senate, Senator Rosen has been a leader in fighting antisemitism and hate. Last year, she, along with Senator Lankford, successfully pushed the U.S. Coast Guard to reverse its decision to no longer prohibit or classify swastikas and nooses as symbols whose display constituted “potential hate incidents.” The bipartisan pair also demanded additional answers from the Coast Guard about changes regarding the investigative process for the display of such symbols.  

Source: Senator Jacky Rosen