Legislation would grant additional funds to synagogues for security

Two senators have introduced bipartisan legislation to give funds to synagogues, and other religious and cultural institution to help provide additional security against potential terrorist attacks.

U.S. Senators Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Gary Peters, D-Michigan, have introduced Protecting Faith-Based and Nonprofit Organizations From Terrorism Act, or S. 1539, to authorize $75 million annually for fiscal years 2020-2024 for the Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

Of the $75 million total, $50 million would be available for nonprofits located within high-risk urban areas, and the remaining $25 million will be available for organizations that fall outside of those areas. Under the legislation, funding may be used for making the institution’s building more secure, training for personnel, and any other appropriate activity to increase security.

A letter initiated by Portman was sent earlier this month to the top Republican and Democratic senators on the Appropriations Committee seeking a raise to $75 million from $60 million in security funding for religious institutions.