Reps. Salazar and Meng, along with Senators Hassan and Johnson, Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect Houses of Worship.

WASHINGTON D.C. - This week, Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Grace Meng (D-NY), together with U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Ron Johnson (R-WI), reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Pray Safe Act. This legislation would establish a federal clearinghouse to provide faith-based organizations, houses of worship, and other nonprofits with centralized access to information on safety and security best practices, available federal security grant programs, and training opportunities.

"Freedom to practice one's religion is central to our nation's founding. Americans must be protected in their place of worship," said Rep. Salazar (R-FL). "I'm proud to co-lead the Pray Safe Act, which will establish a federal repository of best security practices and grant opportunities to better protect Miami's churches, synagogues, and religious organizations."

"Americans must be able to worship in peace, knowing that they are secure and free as they do. As our country witnesses a deeply troubling increase in the number of violent incidents and attacks that target places of worship, including this weekend's horrible attack in Michigan, we need to do more to help houses of worship stay safe," said Senator Hassan. "Our bipartisan bill is an important step to safeguard these sacred spaces, ensuring that faith-based organizations, houses of worship, and other nonprofits can access more support and federal resources so that their congregations can pray free from the fear of violence."

"Similar to my Luke and Alex School Safety Act, the Pray Safe Actwould codify a federal clearinghouse for best safety practices to help secure faith-based organizations and defend our religious freedoms," said Senator Johnson."I am happy to cosponsor this legislation in light of recent attacks on churches across the country."

"No one should ever have to fear for their safety while practicing their faith," said Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06)."However, we have seen an alarming rise in vandalism, violence, and terror targeting houses of worship, faith-based organizations, and other nonprofit organizations. It is vital that these organizations have the security resources they need, and ensuring their protection should always be a bipartisan priority. The Federal government should not sit idly by while faith communities experience attacks on their houses of worship. The security needs are only increasing and creating a dedicated resource for communities to improve their security would help stop these incidents before they happen. I am proud to have championed efforts to better protect houses of worship and nonprofits, and I'm pleased to continue doing so by joining my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to introduce this legislation. I look forward to working with them to deliver this bill to the President's desk."

"As ADL's research has shown, antisemitism and other forms of hate continue to fuel threats against faith-based organizations and houses of worship," said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director."We are grateful to Representatives Grace Meng and Maria Salazar, as well as Senators Maggie Hassan and Ron Johnson, for reintroducing the bipartisan Pray Safe Act. This legislation will help ensure that synagogues, churches, mosques, and other faith communities have the resources, training, and best practices they need to stay safe and secure."

"Jewish Federations strongly support the introduction of the Pray Safe Act, a piece of legislation which would strengthen security for all faith communities at this critical moment in our nation's history," said the Honorable Eric D. Fingerhut, CEO and President, Jewish Federations of North America. "This weekend's attack on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc, Michigan, so soon after the attack on the Church of the Annunciation in Minneapolis, make painfully clear the urgent need for this bipartisan bill. At a time of rising antisemitism and escalating threats to houses of worship, the Pray Safe Act would provide essential resources, training, and support to help keep synagogues, churches, mosques, and other sacred spaces safe. Protecting religious freedom begins with ensuring that every faith community can gather in peace and security."

The Pray Safe Act directs the Department of Homeland Security to establish a Federal Clearinghouse on Safety and Security Best Practices for Nonprofit Organizations, Faith-Based Organizations, and Houses of Worship. This centralized resource will provide organizations with guidance on best practices and recommendations to strengthen safety and security. It will also connect users to available federal resources and grant programs that support the security needs of faith-based organizations and houses of worship.

The legislation is also co-sponsored by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), James Lankford (R-OK), Rick Scott (R-FL), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) in the Senate, and Representatives Daniel Goldman (D-NY), Max Miller (R-OH), Dave Min (D-CA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Don Bacon (R-NE), Lou Correa (D-CA), Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), Andre Carson (D-IN), and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).