Blab Politics
House Bill Aims to Boost Federal Security Funding for Jewish Institutions and Address Online Antisemitism
Reps. Dan Goldman (D‑NY) and Mike Lawler (R‑NY) unveiled a bipartisan House bill on Wednesday that would expand federal security support for Jewish organizations and establish new oversight of antisemitism online. The legislation is a companion to the Senate’s Jewish American Security Act, which was introduced by Senators Jacky Rosen and James Lankford.
The bill would raise the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funding to $1 billion and broaden the program’s eligibility to include Jewish nonprofits. It also authorizes additional funds for law‑enforcement agencies and expands the types of security measures that can be financed, such as security personnel and other protective services that were previously excluded.
In addition to funding, the proposal requires the Department of Education to appoint a dedicated antisemitism coordinator. The coordinator would oversee efforts to counter antisemitism in schools and report on progress. The bill also mandates that social‑media platforms explain how they handle online antisemitism, a move that would compel companies to disclose moderation policies and enforcement actions.
"Jewish communities across the United States are facing a real and growing security crisis, and the federal government has a responsibility to ensure that all Americans can gather, worship, and live openly and safely as who they are," said Eric Fingerhut, CEO and president of the Jewish Federations of North America, which has promoted the bill.
Goldman cited the March 12, 2026 vehicle‑ramming attack on Temple Israel in Detroit, which killed a security guard and injured dozens of people, as a key reason for the legislation. "The attack underscored how essential security is for every single Jewish institution," he said. "We should not have to pay a Jewish tax to be able to go to synagogue, and this will not only increase the funding, but it also expands the range of areas that can be funded by the Nonprofit Security Grant to include, very clearly, security personnel and other types of security that have not currently included and that are now clearly essential," Goldman added.
Lawler, a Catholic Republican, argued that houses of worship should focus on serving their communities rather than worrying about protection costs. "I can walk into my church without passing a security guard stationed outside," he said. "Jewish Americans don’t have that luxury, and it’s outrageous, and it should anger each and every one of us."
The bill was introduced at a press conference in Washington, D.C., where Goldman and Lawler were joined by leaders from the Anti‑Defamation League, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, American Jewish Committee, and representatives of Reform and Orthodox movements.
The legislation adds to a growing list of antisemitism‑related bills in Congress. The Antisemitism Response and Prevention Act, introduced by progressives in the House, and the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which failed to pass despite support from Jewish groups, are examples of earlier efforts.
The NSGP, administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, currently provides grants for target hardening and other physical security enhancements to nonprofits deemed at high risk of terrorist attack. The proposed increase would make the program the largest dedicated source of federal security funding for nonprofit organizations.
The bill’s passage would require House debate and a vote. No vote has yet taken place, and the bill remains in committee. If enacted, the funding increase would take effect in the next fiscal year, and the new antisemitism coordinator position would be established within the Department of Education.
At present, the bill’s status is pending further legislative action. The next steps include committee consideration, potential amendments, and a floor vote. The bill’s supporters are monitoring the House agenda for a possible hearing and debate.
The legislation reflects a bipartisan effort to address a perceived security gap for Jewish institutions and to strengthen federal oversight of antisemitism both in physical spaces and online. The outcome will depend on the House’s willingness to advance the bill through the legislative process.
The bill would raise the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funding to $1 billion and broaden the program’s eligibility to include Jewish nonprofits. It also authorizes additional funds for law‑enforcement agencies and expands the types of security measures that can be financed, such as security personnel and other protective services that were previously excluded.
In addition to funding, the proposal requires the Department of Education to appoint a dedicated antisemitism coordinator. The coordinator would oversee efforts to counter antisemitism in schools and report on progress. The bill also mandates that social‑media platforms explain how they handle online antisemitism, a move that would compel companies to disclose moderation policies and enforcement actions.
"Jewish communities across the United States are facing a real and growing security crisis, and the federal government has a responsibility to ensure that all Americans can gather, worship, and live openly and safely as who they are," said Eric Fingerhut, CEO and president of the Jewish Federations of North America, which has promoted the bill.
Goldman cited the March 12, 2026 vehicle‑ramming attack on Temple Israel in Detroit, which killed a security guard and injured dozens of people, as a key reason for the legislation. "The attack underscored how essential security is for every single Jewish institution," he said. "We should not have to pay a Jewish tax to be able to go to synagogue, and this will not only increase the funding, but it also expands the range of areas that can be funded by the Nonprofit Security Grant to include, very clearly, security personnel and other types of security that have not currently included and that are now clearly essential," Goldman added.
Lawler, a Catholic Republican, argued that houses of worship should focus on serving their communities rather than worrying about protection costs. "I can walk into my church without passing a security guard stationed outside," he said. "Jewish Americans don’t have that luxury, and it’s outrageous, and it should anger each and every one of us."
The bill was introduced at a press conference in Washington, D.C., where Goldman and Lawler were joined by leaders from the Anti‑Defamation League, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, American Jewish Committee, and representatives of Reform and Orthodox movements.
The legislation adds to a growing list of antisemitism‑related bills in Congress. The Antisemitism Response and Prevention Act, introduced by progressives in the House, and the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which failed to pass despite support from Jewish groups, are examples of earlier efforts.
The NSGP, administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, currently provides grants for target hardening and other physical security enhancements to nonprofits deemed at high risk of terrorist attack. The proposed increase would make the program the largest dedicated source of federal security funding for nonprofit organizations.
The bill’s passage would require House debate and a vote. No vote has yet taken place, and the bill remains in committee. If enacted, the funding increase would take effect in the next fiscal year, and the new antisemitism coordinator position would be established within the Department of Education.
At present, the bill’s status is pending further legislative action. The next steps include committee consideration, potential amendments, and a floor vote. The bill’s supporters are monitoring the House agenda for a possible hearing and debate.
The legislation reflects a bipartisan effort to address a perceived security gap for Jewish institutions and to strengthen federal oversight of antisemitism both in physical spaces and online. The outcome will depend on the House’s willingness to advance the bill through the legislative process.
