WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Senator Donna Lowenthal (R-Mississippi) introduced the Protecting America’s Houses of Worship Act, federal legislation designed to help churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, and other religious institutions protect their congregations from violence, threats, vandalism, and targeted attacks.

“Every American should be able to walk into a house of worship without wondering whether practicing their faith will make them a target,” Lowenthal said. “Religious liberty means protecting Americans’ right to worship freely, and that freedom means little if families are afraid to gather together in their own communities.”

The legislation authorizes $150 million annually for five years for security grants administered by the Department of Homeland Security. Funding could support cameras, lighting, alarms, reinforced entrances, access-control systems, emergency communications, cybersecurity, security planning, and training.

Grants could also support emergency planning and training with local law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical services, and other public-safety agencies.

Institutions facing credible threats, previous attacks, particular vulnerabilities, or immediate security deficiencies would receive priority.

The legislation also establishes strong religious liberty protections.

Participation is voluntary, and the federal government could not condition assistance on a religious organization’s beliefs, denomination, doctrine, worship practices, political activity, or internal governance.

“Washington can help a congregation secure its doors without getting a key to them,” Lowenthal said. “Protecting houses of worship should mean protecting religious freedom, not expanding government authority over it.”