Lawmakers joined faith-based leaders and community advocates for a press conference on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to push for the swift passage of the Right to Worship Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would establish federal protest-free buffer zones around houses of worship.
The legislation would create a 100-foot perimeter around religious institutions during services, making it unlawful to knowingly disrupt, impede, threaten, or intimidate individuals attempting to practice their faith.
The proponents emphasized that rising incidents of harassment and targeting at religious sites necessitate federal intervention to protect worshippers across denominations.
"Exercising your right to worship should not require you to exhibit particular courage as you enter your synagogue, church, mosque, temple, mandir, or gurdwara," said Representative Tom Suozzi. "I will always stand up for people's right to protest peacefully, but attendees of religious services should not be harassed, threatened, intimidated, or targeted for practicing their faith."
The bill is sponsored in the House by Suozzi and Representative Brad Knott, alongside a companion measure in the Senate introduced by Senators Ted Cruz and Elissa Slotkin.
The legislation also imposes civil penalties for violations and authorizes individuals, the US Attorney General, and state attorneys general to file suit against violators, while explicitly excluding peaceful expression protected by the First Amendment.
Supporters at the press conference highlighted that the pressure facing religious communities extends across the political and geographic spectrum. "The breadth of support for the Right to Worship Act is very gratifying," Suozzi said. "So many groups recognize the horrifying reality that the threat to the freedom to worship is not unique to any one faith or congregation. Every religious community feels it, which is why this bill will protect everybody."
Knott echoed those sentiments during the conference, stating that the proposal strikes a necessary balance between safeguarding public assembly and ensuring safety. "The Right to Worship Act protects peaceful speech while restoring essential protections for Americans by empowering worshippers against those who seek to intimidate them."
The legislation has garnered endorsements from more than twenty national religious and civil rights organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, the Islamic Society of North America, and the Hindu American Foundation.
Alyza D. Lewin, President of US Affairs for the Combat Antisemitism Movement, emphasized the vulnerability faced by congregants since late 2023. "In the aftermath of October 7th, Jews have had to endure violent threats and intimidating harassment just to enter synagogues to practice their faith and gather as a community," Lewin said. Drawing a parallel to existing protections, Lewin added, "We place buffer zones around polling stations so that individuals can complete their ballots in peace, without being heckled or intimidated. Surely religious worship, an activity covered by the First Amendment, deserves as much protection as voting. Americans must be able to practice their faith free from harassment and intimidation."
Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the ADL, stressed the urgency of the measure given recent security challenges. "No one should have to push through a hostile crowd or shout over a bullhorn in an attempt to pray," Greenblatt said. "The Right to Worship Act gives law enforcement and communities the tools they need to prevent these disruptions before they escalate, while still respecting every American's First Amendment rights."