Faith & Freedom News
Bipartisan Lawmakers Introduce Federal “Right to Worship Act” Creating 100-Foot Buffer Zones Around Houses of Worship
The bill, backed by a broad coalition spanning Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh organizations, responds to a wave of protests and harassment incidents targeting synagogues and other religious institutions nationwide.
A bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers on Thursday introduced the Right to Worship Act, federal legislation that would prohibit activity that knowingly disrupts or impedes access to scheduled religious services within 100 feet of the entrance to a house of worship.
The bill is led by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Rep. Brad Knott (R-NC), and Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY). It comes amid a series of protests and harassment incidents targeting synagogues and other religious institutions across the country.
Under the measure, it would be unlawful to engage in conduct within 100 feet of a pedestrian or vehicular entrance to a house of worship — during a scheduled religious service and in the one-hour window before and after — that meaningfully interferes with the ability of people to participate in the service to the point of causing a substantial interruption, or that unreasonably hinders, deters, threatens, or intimidates a person in a way that prevents participation.
The legislation focuses on conduct rather than the content of speech and includes protections for non-disruptive First Amendment activity. It would impose escalating civil fines for violations and allow affected individuals, the U.S. Attorney General, or state attorneys general to bring civil suits seeking court orders and damages. Houses of worship would not be required to publicly post their service schedules.
Sponsors Emphasize Constitutional Balance
“No one should ever fear going to their house of worship. Period. The Right to Worship Act prohibits disruptive conduct, within 100 feet of a religious institution, that’s used to threaten or impede access. I look forward to working with my colleagues on getting this important piece of bipartisan legislation passed.”
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)“The First Amendment guarantees every American the right to freely exercise their faith, and Congress has a duty to ensure that guarantee is met. In recent years, we have seen organized acts of hate meant to disrupt and deny that right, which have been untenably defended as speech.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)“Exercising your right to worship should not require you to exhibit particular courage as you enter your synagogue, church, mosque, temple, mandir, or gurdwara.”
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), previously the sponsor of a related bill, the SACRED Act, earlier in 2026“[The bill] protects peaceful speech while restoring essential protections for Americans by empowering worshippers against those who seek to intimidate them.”
Rep. Brad Knott (R-NC)A Broad Interfaith Coalition
The Anti-Defamation League, which assisted in drafting the legislation, strongly endorsed it. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said the goal is straightforward: no one should have to push through a hostile crowd or shout over a bullhorn in an attempt to pray.
The bill builds on state-level efforts, including a New York law establishing buffer zones around houses of worship, and responds to documented incidents of harassment at religious sites, particularly synagogues. Sponsors say the measure carefully balances free exercise of religion with free speech protections.
Supporting organizations include the Anti-Defamation League, Agudath Israel of America, the American Jewish Committee, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, the Coalition of Hindus of North America, Hadassah, the Hindu American Foundation, the Islamic Society of North America, the Jewish Federations of North America, UJA-Federation of New York, the Orthodox Union, United Sikhs, the Combat Antisemitism Movement, and the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC).
AMMWEC’s Statement of Support
Following the bill’s introduction, AMMWEC issued a statement declaring its support for the legislation, framing it as a matter of interfaith solidarity rather than partisan politics.
AMMWEC Is Proud to Support the Bipartisan Right to Worship Act
The freedom to worship is one of America’s most fundamental rights. No American — Jew, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh or person of any faith — should have to walk through intimidation, threats or harassment simply to enter a house of worship.
The Right to Worship Act, introduced by Senators Ted Cruz and Elissa Slotkin and Representatives Brad Knott and Tom Suozzi, establishes protections within 100 feet of houses of worship during scheduled religious services, while preserving Americans’ constitutional right to peaceful expression.
AMMWEC President Anila Ali said: “At a time when we have witnessed frightening intimidation and disruption outside synagogues and other religious institutions, Congress must draw a clear line: protest is a constitutional right. Preventing another American from safely practicing their faith is not.”
As Muslims committed to religious freedom and multifaith solidarity, AMMWEC believes that when a synagogue is threatened, Muslims must stand with our Jewish neighbors. When a synagogue, church, mosque, temple, mandir or gurdwara is threatened, Americans of every faith must stand together.
Religious freedom belongs to ALL Americans.
We thank Senators Cruz and Slotkin and Representatives Knott and Suozzi for demonstrating that protecting worshippers should never be a partisan issue.
AMMWEC proudly stands behind the Right to Worship Act.
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