Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), who serves as the Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, recently joined a bipartisan group of Senators, including Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), in calling for additional funding for FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). The funding increase is being sought to be included in any supplemental funding package that Congress may consider in light of the heightened concerns about the safety and security of the American Jewish community following recent attacks on Israel.
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which is funded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is designed to provide financial support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements to nonprofit organizations, including synagogues and other places of worship, that are at a high risk of terrorist attacks.
In the wake of escalating violence and instability in the Middle East, Senator Katie Britt expressed her unwavering support for Israel and conveyed her commitment to ensuring that the nation has the resources it needs to defend itself. Her advocacy for increased funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program is rooted in the belief that security concerns should not be limited to overseas, and that the safety and security of American communities, places of worship, and families should also be a top priority.
Sen. Britt shared her perspective, stating, “The barbaric attacks on innocent children, women, and men in Israel are heartbreaking and stomach-turning. Now more than ever, we must be unequivocally strong in our response and unreservedly clear in our purpose. As I work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the days, weeks, and months ahead to ensure Israel has everything it needs to defend itself with overwhelming force, we must also vigilantly guard against terrorism and the forces of hate here at home. I support robust funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to help secure our homeland and keep our families, places of worship, and communities safe.”
Senator Chris Murphy, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, emphasized the importance of providing assistance to Israel while also focusing on safeguarding the Jewish community within the United States. He explained, “The horrific images and videos we are seeing out of Israel are unspeakable, and I am doing everything in my power to ensure Israel gets the support it needs to defend itself. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I am also focused on making sure our Jewish community at home is protected from a potential rise in anti-Semitic threats.”
Sen. Cory Booker echoed the sentiment, recognizing the importance of safeguarding all religious communities. He stated, “The harrowing images coming out of Israel and the rising toll of confirmed deaths and the number of civilians being held hostage by Hamas…remind us that we cannot ignore the rise in antisemitism around the world or here at home. It’s crucial that we take every precaution to keep all of our religious communities safe.”
Senator Jacky Rosen, while addressing the alarming surge in antisemitic activities, emphasized the importance of increasing funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. She highlighted the significance of providing vital resources to safeguard nonprofit organizations, particularly Jewish houses of worship and other religious-affiliated groups across the United States.
Senator Shelley Moore Capito, co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, underlined the program’s role in ensuring the safety and security of communities of faith, particularly synagogues across the nation that are often targeted.
Senator Katie Britt, who personally visited Israel earlier this year during her first official overseas trip as a member of the United States Senate, met with the nation’s top political and military leaders and witnessed firsthand the threats posed by terrorists. This experience has undoubtedly shaped her commitment to enhancing security measures at home.
