Senator Hassan Renews Push to Pass Bipartisan Bill to Improve Security for Houses of Worship

WASHINGTON - Following the horrific violence last weekend, including the antisemitic murder of 15 people in Australia, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan is renewing her push to pass into law her bipartisan Pray Safe Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will help connect houses of worship, faith-based organizations, and other nonprofits with information on safety and security best practices including available federal security grant programs. Senator Hassan will lead a push to add a bipartisan amendment to one of the upcoming appropriation bills before the Senate to pass the Pray Safe Act.

"Every American deserves to be safe, especially in their houses of worship. But we are seeing a rise in religious and political violence across the world - including the antisemitic terrorism this weekend in Australia," said Senator Hassan. "It's long-past time for Congress to pass into law the bipartisan, bicameral Pray Safe Act and help connect our houses of worship with federal resources to keep them safe. As the Senate will soon consider appropriations legislation, I urge my colleagues to include the Pray Safe Act and to help get the bill over the finish line."

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 location will provide organizations with information about best practices and recommendations to enhance safety and security. In addition, the Clearinghouse will direct users to available federal resources and grant programs relevant to the safety and security of faith-based organizations and houses of worship.

The legislation, which has previously passed the U.S. Senate, is led by Senator Hassan as well as Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), as well as Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) and Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL). It 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).

This effort builds on Senator Hassan's work to strengthen security at houses of worship and nonprofits. In 2020, Senator Hassan helped pass into law bipartisan legislation to ensure that grant funding for houses of worship and nonprofit organizations be available to houses of worship and nonprofits in small states like New Hampshire, not just in major metropolitan areas. Senator Hassan also worked to quadruple funding for the program.

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