Washington, DC — In response to recent hate crimes and attacks, a new proposal would create a multi-million-dollar federal grant program to help protect shuls – lehavdil other houses of worship – and at-risk religious institutions from attacks.

The new proposal is contained in the recently released Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026. It will designate “not less than $5 million” of the grant funds provided to state and local police by the U.S. Department of Justice to be awarded to local law enforcement agencies that provide more protection to at-risk religious institutions.

The Orthodox Union Advocacy Center (OUA), the public policy arm of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, praised the proposed grant program, which it helped introduce.

“Jewish communities have been forced to pay what amounts to an ‘antisemitism tax’ to fund private security guards because local law enforcement does not have the resources to meet the rise in antisemitic threats,” OUA Executive Director Nathan Diament said. “This new program will start to alleviate that burden at a crucial moment when antisemitic crimes have skyrocketed.”

OUA worked closely with key congressional allies to introduce and include this new line item in the face of the recent increase in violent hate crimes. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, and Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, spearheaded this effort.

“We thank Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06) for spearheading this effort and taking the Jewish community’s concerns to heart.”

“Last year, I attended the funeral for a young Kansas woman, Sarah Milgrim, who was killed in a targeted, antisemitic attack,” said Senator Moran. “In the months since then, the Jewish community has been rocked by numerous attacks that have prompted increased police presence at synagogues and houses of worship across the country. The freedom to worship is one of the most fundamental rights enshrined in our Constitution. While it is disheartening that places of worship and faith-based organizations are coming under attack, we have a responsibility to protect these institutions and in doing so, protect the rights of Americans of all faiths.”

“In recent years, there has been a significant rise in attacks on houses of worship of Americans of many faiths, including the Jewish community,” said Congresswoman Meng. “As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, public safety is a top priority for me. That’s why I was proud to work across the aisle to secure millions in federal funds to make it easier for houses of worship to hire security personnel. This bipartisan win will help stop incidents before they occur and builds on existing programs that help at-risk institutions enhance their physical security. I remain committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect Americans of all faith communities.”

In the coming weeks, the House of Representatives will vote on the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act, part of the minibus released Monday, as Congress seeks to pass 2026 funding bills before the end of the month.