STATEMENT: Gottheimer Calls for Immediate Congressional Vote to Boost Investment to Protect Houses of Worship from Anti-Semitic and Other Hate-Filled Attacks

Today, Sunday, January 5, 2020, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement:

The anti-Semitic attacks in recent days and weeks, many of them in our own backyard, are painful reminders that anti-Semitic violence and hatred are on the rise. The safety and security of our places of worship are of critical importance, now more than ever.

Today, I am calling on Congress to vote immediately on increasing investment for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which helps fund security enhancements like barrier and screening tools, safety improvements, and preparedness training at synagogues, yeshivas, Jewish Community Centers, and houses of worship. The safety and security of our places of worship and schools are bedrock American values.

Boosting investment for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) will ensure that our places of worship and schools are protected in the face of increasing anti-Semitic and hate-filled violence, and acts of terror.

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In Washington, Gottheimer fought to secure the increased investment for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to $90 million for FY 2020, a 50 percent increase from previous levels. The Fifth District has clawed back more than $2.9 million from Washington through the Program since 2016 — to make sure synagogues, yeshivas, Jewish Community Centers, and houses of worship are protected from increasing threats of terror and acts of hate. Houses of worship and schools are encouraged to contact Gottheimer’s office for assistance with applying for investment through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP).

Gottheimer, a member of the Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Anti-Semitism, has voted several times this Congress to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to fighting anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry. Gottheimer is also a cosponsor of the bipartisan National Opposition to Hate, Assault, and Threats to Equality Act, or NO HATE Act, to strengthen federal laws that combat hate speech, threats, and attacks and improve national hate crime reporting.

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