Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Grace Meng (D-NY), along with Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Ron Johnson (R-WI), have reintroduced the bipartisan Pray Safe Act. The bill aims to create a federal clearinghouse that would offer faith-based organizations, houses of worship, and nonprofits centralized access to information on safety best practices, federal security grant programs, and training opportunities.
Rep. Salazar stated, “Freedom to practice one’s religion is central to our nation’s founding. Americans must be protected in their place of worship. 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.”
Senator Hassan commented on recent violent incidents: “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. 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.”
Senator Johnson drew parallels with previous legislation: “Similar to my Luke and Alex School Safety Act, the Pray Safe Act would codify a federal clearinghouse for best safety practices to help secure faith-based organizations and defend our religious freedoms. I am happy to cosponsor this legislation in light of recent attacks on churches across the country.”
Congresswoman Meng highlighted rising threats: “No one should ever have to fear for their safety while practicing their faith. 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.”
Jonathan Greenblatt from ADL said: “As ADL’s research has shown, antisemitism and other forms of hate continue to fuel threats against faith-based organizations and houses of worship. 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.”
Eric D. Fingerhut from Jewish Federations added: “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. 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 proposed law directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a centralized resource where nonprofit groups can find guidance about strengthening safety measures as well as links to available grants supporting those efforts.
The measure has additional co-sponsors from both parties in Congress.
