ThomasÊR. Suozzi
04/24/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/24/2026 10:51
Suozzi Unveils Bipartisan SACRED Act to Protect Houses of Worship
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April 24, 2026
Suozzi was joined at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center by leaders from ADL, AJC, Hadassah, Union for Orthodox Jews, other advocacy and faith groups
Glen Cove, NY-Today, Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-Long Island, Queens) unveiled his bipartisan buffer zones bill, the Safeguarding Access to Congregations and Religious Establishments from Disruption (SACRED) Act. The bill, co-led by Congressman Max Miller (R-OH), would make it a federal crime to intentionally intimidate, obstruct, or harass people exercising their right to religious worship within 100 feet of a place of worship, whether by threatening them, blocking their path, or approaching them within 8 feet for the purpose of harassment or intimidation.
The Sacred Act is endorsed by:
• Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
• American Jewish Committee (AJC)
• Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (OU)
• Hadassah
• Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
• Hindu American Foundation (HAF)
• Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)
• UJA-Federation of New York
• Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) •Agudath Israel of America
• United Sikhs
Additionally, Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean and Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law at University of California, Berkeley School of Law, has said that "this bill is consistent with the First Amendment."
"No one deserves to be harassed or intimidated, especially on their way to their place of worship," said Congressman Suozzi. "We're living in increasingly volatile times, fueled in part by social media fanning the flames of division and our foreign adversaries trying to divide us from within. I've heard real fear from my constituents over the last few years about the hate they see and feel, especially while going to pray or being visibly religious. We have a responsibility to address that fear in a thoughtful, targeted way that protects our constituents while balancing the First Amendment right to peacefully protest."
"Every American deserves to practice their faith free from fear, intimidation, or harassment," said Congressman Miller. "The SACRED Act ensures that people can access their place of worship safely and without obstruction, while still preserving First Amendment protections for peaceful expression. This commonsense legislation draws a clear line: intimidation and threats have no place in our communities."
Across the country, we have seen worshippers confronted, intimidated, and harassed on their way to practice their religion. Synagogues in particular have faced an unprecedented wave of aggressive demonstrations, where congregants have been shouted at, physically blocked from entering services and subjected to threatening rhetoric. Churches, mosques, Hindu mandirs, and Sikh gurdwaras have faced similar patterns of intimidation. Right now, there is no dedicated federal statute protecting worshippers from this kind of harassment at the door, and the SACRED Act would remedy that.
Congressman Suozzi was joined in Glen Cove for the unveiling of the SACRED Act by leaders of several prominent faith and advocacy groups, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Union for Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, Hadassah, and several Long Island synagogues.
"Antisemitism is at historic levels. In 2024, ADL tracked 9,354 antisemitic incidents, including 1,702 incidents at Jewish institutions alone. Individuals seeking to pray in peace at houses of worship across our country are increasingly becoming targets of harassment and intimidation," said Jonathan Greenblatt, Anti-Defamation League CEO. "As we aim to stem this wave of hate, we must take substantive action to fight back. That is why the SACRED Act is crucial, and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Congressmen Suozzi and Miller to develop and introduce this critical bipartisan bill to ensure every individual, of every faith, can worship safely without fear."
"According to American Jewish Committee's (AJC) State of Antisemitism in America 2025 Report, 28% of American Jews say that at least one Jewish institution they are affiliated with has been a target of antisemitic incidents in the last five years, and 55% of American Jews altered their behavior in the past year out of fear of antisemitism. At a time of rising threats against Jewish institutions, we applaud Representatives Suozzi and Miller for introducing the bipartisan
SACRED Act to ensure safe access to houses of worship," said Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee.
"As the umbrella body for synagogues across the United States, the Orthodox Union is very grateful to Rep. Tom Suozzi and Rep. Max Miller for leading this effort to better protect our congregants - and parishioners at all houses of worship. Freedom to worship in America can only be enjoyed together with a freedom from fear. Sadly, we are in an era when we have seen too many assaults on synagogues, churches and other holy places. Federal buffer zone legislation is necessary, and we urge Congress to pass it as soon as possible," said Nathan J. Diament, Executive Director for the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.
"Intimidating and harassing people exercising their right to worship is unacceptable - anytime, anywhere. Hadassah has heard from Jewish women who are afraid to display symbols of their faith and who constantly watch their synagogue doors for attackers. The antisemitism these women face reflects the erosion of public safety at every place of worship, and we must act to keep sacred spaces safe," said Carol Ann Schwartz, National President of Hadassah. "We applaud Representatives Suozzi and Miller for their bipartisan leadership in fighting hatred, and we urge Congress to pass this critical legislation to provide greater security to everyone practicing their faith."
"Religious freedom thrives where respect prevails. Let every place of worship be a sanctuary free from intimidation, obstruction, or harassment so all people may practice their faith in peace, dignity, and safety within every sacred space," said Azhar Azeez, CEO of the Islamic Society of North America.
"The Hindu American community welcomes the introduction of the SACRED Act as a critical step in safeguarding our places of worship. In recent years, we have seen a disturbing rise in the targeting and desecration of Hindu mandirs across America, which has deeply shaken the sense of safety for our families and devotees. By establishing federal penalties for those who intentionally disrupt or harass individuals within 100 feet of a religious establishment, this legislation ensures that our mandirs remain the sacred spaces of peace and community they are meant to be. No American should have to exercise their First Amendment right to pray under the shadow of intimidation or fear. We're grateful to Representatives Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Max Miller (R-OH) for their bipartisan leadership on this issue," said Samir Kalra, Esq., Managing Director of Policy & Programs at the Hindu American Foundation.
"We, at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center, understand religious persecution and so we are so proud to stand with Congressman Suozzi in protecting the rights of all Americans, regardless of where they pray- a synagogue, mosque or church - their right to do so free of danger and harassment will now be granted," said Alan Mindel, Chair of the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.
"Houses of worship are sacred spaces and visitors gathering there to pray or attend communal events should be free from harassment. The SACRED Act helps protect communities by creating a buffer zone around places of religious worship and individuals and imposes penalties for violations of this law. Unfortunately, recent incidents in front of synagogues around the country highlight the need for additional protections. We thank Representatives Max Miller (R- OH) and Tom Suozzi (D - NY) for sponsoring the bill and we urge Congress to advance this important piece of legislation," said Rabbi A. D. Motzen, National Director of Government Affairs of Agudath Israel of America.
"For the Sikh community, and all faith communities, whose houses of worship are rooted in openness, service, and equality, this protection is especially meaningful. gurdwaras, synagogues, mosques, churches and temples are not only places of prayer but also centers of community support and public service. Ensuring that individuals can enter and participate without fear of harassment helps preserve these core values… At a time when incidents of religiously motivated hostility continue to affect diverse groups, this measure reinforces a shared commitment to religious freedom, mutual respect, and public safety," said Bhupinder Kaur of United Sikhs.
Click here to read the full text of the SACRED Act.
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