WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and James Lankford (R-OK), and Representatives Kathy Manning (D-NC) and Chris Smith (R-NJ), co-chairs of the Senate and House Bipartisan Task Forces for Combating Antisemitism, led a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray requesting their immediate attention on and additional resources for protecting the safety and security of Jewish Americans, religious institutions, and organizations in our nation that are vulnerable to increased threats and violence as a result of Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel on October 7.
“Free speech is always protected in the public square, but speech inciting violence, as well as threats and acts of terrorism and violence, must be taken seriously. Given these pressing threats, we support an increase in funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) in any upcoming supplemental funding legislation,” wrote the members. “While we appreciate the joint public safety notice issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to faith and community leaders on October 10, government agencies have a responsibility to continue to prioritize the safety and security of individuals and organizations vulnerable to violence, especially violence motivated by antisemitism, in real time, as the threat landscape evolves…”
The full letter is available HERE.
Senator Rosen has been a leader in countering antisemitism and increasing resources to protect synagogues and houses of worship. Last week, she helped lead a push to call for increased funding to protect synagogues and Jewish community centers from targeted violence. Senator Rosen led the push as co-chair of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism for the first-ever national strategy to counter antisemitism released earlier this year.
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