Ross, Foushee, Adams, Davis Call for Federal Funding to Bolster Security at Houses of Worship Amid Continued Rise in Antisemitic & Islamophobic Violence

Today, the North Carolina Democratic delegation wrote to urge the House Appropriations Committee to ensure that any Fiscal Year 2025 federal spending legislation includes at least $454.5 million in funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to respond to an increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic threats and violence, both nationally and in North Carolina. The NSGP program provides critical resources for security improvements at nonprofits, including religious organizations, that are at high risk of terrorist attacks. The letter follows an unprecedented rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia across the United States since Hamas’ appalling attack on innocent Israelis on October 7, 2023. According to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment , the United States terrorism threat environment is expected to remain high over the coming year. In North Carolina, antisemitic incidents increased by 37% in 2022 alone . The lawmakers wrote, “Since Hamas’ appalling attack on October 7, 2023, we have seen an unprecedented rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia in our country. Our Jewish and Muslim neighbors continue to face threats to their families, communities, and houses of worship.” “We have an obligation to respond to these threats with robust NSGP funding to bolster the security of houses of worship. These religious communities need these resources to make necessary investments to keep their leaders, staff, members and facilities safe,” they continued. Full text of the letter is available here .