ICYMI: Congressman Max Miller Leads Letter to Secretary Noem Advocating for Faith-based Organizations 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Max Miller (OH-07) alongside Brad Schneider (IL-10), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), and Michael McCaul (TX-10) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Noem asking to ensure that the terms and conditions for the Non-profit Security Grant Program are related to the physical security of Churches, Synagogues, and the other religious institution that depend on these grants to secure their facilities. Since the current language is vague regarding immigration requirements, the letter asks for clarification to ensure that churches and synagogues do not have to change their usual community operations to accept a grant. 

“I’m leading this letter so churches and synagogues can continue serving their communities without unnecessary and unrelated compliance requirements,” said Congressman Miller. “These houses of worship deserve quick and clear access to funds to keep their congregants safe during a time of unprecedented violence against communities of faith.”  

“At a time of rising antisemitic violence, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program must remain focused on one thing: protecting people as they gather to worship,” said Congressman Schneider. “Adding unrelated conditions creates confusion, delays, and real risk for communities facing credible threats. This bipartisan letter is about keeping NSGP straightforward, accessible, and squarely centered on security, not partisan politics.” 

“The Nonprofit Security Grant Program should be about one thing: keeping people safe,” said Congressman Gottheimer. “At a time when hate and violence against faith-based communities across this country are at historic levels, the last thing we should be doing is putting politics before safety.” 

“Amidst rising attacks on religious communities across the globe, securing our houses of worship must be a top priority,” said Congressman McCaul. “America has always been a beacon of religious liberty throughout the world, and a swift disbursement of these grants can help ensure it stays that way. All Americans should be able to practice their deeply held beliefs in freedom and in safety.” 

“The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is one of the most vital programs protecting the Jewish community,” said the Honorable Eric D Fingerhut, President and CEO of Jewish Federations of North America. “We continue to encourage every Jewish institution with heightened security needs to apply for these funds. We have also heard from our community that the current terms and conditions have had the unintended effect of deterring some organizations from applying, which is why we believe they should be updated appropriately.”   

“Religious communities facing violent threats deserve to know the government is prioritizing their safety, not politicizing it,” said Amy Spitalnick, CEO, Jewish Council for Public Affairs. “Yet the chaos created by these new terms and conditions has only created more vulnerability for communities, who are worried that they’ll be forced to choose between their core religious beliefs and their basic security. We are grateful to Reps. Miller, Schneider, Gottheimer, and McCaul for helping lead this important bipartisan call to clarify that NSGP should not be used for anything other than the security of our communities.”  

“At a time of rising violence and hatred targeting houses of worship, NSGP is an essential lifeline for synagogues and other faith-based institutions seeking to protect their congregants,” said Lauren Wolman, ADL’s Senior Director of Government Relations & Strategy. “We are grateful for the bipartisan effort to ensure DHS requirements remain clear, consistent, and focused on what matters most—helping at-risk nonprofits protect themselves from threats. Organizations must be able to access these resources quickly, with confidence, and without unnecessary delays.” 

The full letter can be found here.

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