Gottheimer leads 78 colleagues in urging administration to immediately lift pause of funding for Nonprofit Security Grant Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) Friday led a group of 78 colleagues in urging the Administration to reverse its decision to pause the drawdown of federal grant funding at the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), including the vital Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

The bipartisan letter is led by Gottheimer and co-led by Representatives Mike Lawler (NY-17), Gabe Amo (RI-1), Michael McCaul (TX-10), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), and Max Miller (OH-7).

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program provides critical funding to nonprofits at high risk of a terrorist attack, specifically faith-based institutions and houses of worship, to enhance their physical security and provide access to training to protect communities from the growing threat of hate and violence.

“At a time when hate and violence against faith-based communities across this country are at historic levels, the NSGP has provided life-saving funding to protect faith-based communities and institutions,” the lawmakers wrote to FEMA Acting Administrator Cameron Hamilton. “From bollards to prevent vehicular attacks, reinforced doors to keep intruders out, CCTV cameras to monitor threats, and emergency alert systems that allow rapid response, the NSGP has ensured faith-based institutions are equipped with vital tools to prevent loss of life in the case of an attack. It is critical that those institutions that have already been awarded an NSGP grant are allocated the expected funding.”

“The Administration has made clear its goal to protect Americans from terrorist threats both foreign and domestic, as well as to respond to the rise in hate crimes. Supporting the NSGP is critical to fulfilling that goal. The program has long enjoyed bipartisan support, with lawmakers across the political spectrum recognizing that protecting places of worship and community institutions is not a partisan issue,” the lawmakers said.

“The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is a lifeline for vulnerable institutions, and ensuring the swift and efficient disbursement of these funds is essential to safeguarding communities in the face of growing threats,” said Lauren Wolman, Anti-Defamation League (ADL)’s Director of Federal Policy and Strategy. “We thank Representatives Gottheimer and Lawler for leading this bipartisan effort to ensure that as the Administration enhances oversight of FEMA grants, they remain acutely aware of the unprecedented levels of antisemitism and heightened security needs of at-risk communities.”

The letter called on the Administration to explain its rationale for the pause and to brief Members of Congress before any decisions are made that would impact an organization’s receipt of funding.