Reps Tenney, Schneider Lead Bipartisan Letter Urging DHS to Protect Nonprofit Security Grant Program

Oswego, NY - Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) and Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) led a bipartisan letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin urging the Department to revise the Fiscal Year 2026 Nonprofit Security Grant Program guidance to ensure faith-based organizations and nonprofit institutions can continue relying on the program to strengthen their security.

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program provides reimbursement to eligible faith-based organizations and nonprofit institutions for security improvements, including surveillance cameras, access control systems, and other protective measures. The letter expresses concern that new grant guidance would allow FEMA to terminate an approved award at will without reimbursing houses of worship for agreed upon security enhancements. Since grant recipients must pay for security projects before receiving reimbursement, this new provision could create financial uncertainty for organizations seeking to improve their security and discourage participation in the program. The letter urges DHS to remove the provision and ensure the program remains focused on protecting vulnerable communities from targeted threats.

"The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is an essential resource that helps faith-based organizations and nonprofit institutions protect the people they serve," said Congresswoman Tenney. "As threats against houses of worship and community organizations continue to rise, it is important that these institutions have confidence that the program will provide the support they were awarded. Our letter encourages DHS to provide that certainty by ensuring the program remains focused on its core mission of enhancing security for vulnerable communities."

"American religious groups, and especially Jewish communities, have seen record increases in violent incidents and hate-filled threats," said Congressman Schneider. "I'm grateful to partner with Rep. Tenney to push back against onerous new rules that make our synagogues, churches, and mosques less safe. We will continue to root out hate and discrimination in all forms, so everyone can observe their faith safely and without threat of harm."

"As antisemitism and threats against faith communities remain at historic levels, NSGP is more essential than ever to help at-risk communities protect themselves from threats," said Lauren Wolman, ADL's senior director of government relations and strategy. "We are grateful to Representatives Schneider and Tenney for their bipartisan leadership in championing this lifesaving program and ensuring organizations can access those resources quickly, with confidence, and without unnecessary delays."

Read the full letter here.

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