Suozzi (D-NY), Knott (R-NC), Cruz (R-TX), and Slotkin (D-MI) Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Right to Worship Act to Protect Worshippers

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Congressman Brad Knott (R-NC), along with Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), introduced the Right to Worship Act in the House and the Senate, to establish a 100‑foot, protest‑free buffer zone around houses of worship during religious services, making it unlawful to knowingly disrupt or impede people from attending. This law imposes civil fines for violations and authorizes individuals, the U.S. Attorney General, and state attorneys general to sue violators. Peaceful expression protected by the First Amendment is excluded from the bill’s prohibited activities. 

“Exercising your right to worship should not require you to exhibit particular courage as you enter your synagogue, church, mosque, temple, mandir, or gurdwara,” said Congressman Suozzi. “I will always stand up for people’s right to protest peacefully, but attendees of religious services should not be harassed, threatened, intimidated, or targeted for practicing their faith. I am proud to lead this bipartisan and bicameral Right to Worship Act that both protects free speech and the freedom to worship.”

"Today, many Americans are unable to worship without fear of harassment, assault, or other forms of intimidation. The right to worship freely is foundational to our nation and was one of the motivations for its founding. No American should ever feel that their choice is between worshiping in fear and not worshiping at all,” said Congressman Knott. "The Right to Worship Act protects peaceful speech while restoring essential protections for Americans by empowering worshippers against those who seek to intimidate them. I look forward to this bill becoming law and appreciate the many contributions made through bipartisan, bicameral work."

The Right to Worship Act is endorsed by:

 

The Right to Worship Act creates a civil prohibition against “conduct that unreasonably hinders or deters a person from entering a house of worship, or that threatens or intimidates a person, in a manner that prevents participation at a scheduled religious service.” For the law to apply, an individual or group must “knowingly” engage in this conduct, meaning “that the person is aware or reasonably should be aware that the person’s conduct will cause such disruption or impediment.” The bill explicitly protects peaceful expression through speech that does not impact one’s ability to worship freely.

The Right to Worship Act establishes a civil fine structure that increases with each offense, beginning at $2,500 and up to $10,000 per violation. To ensure impacted worshippers are able to seek appropriate recourse, the bill creates a right of action which can include injunctive relief, monetary damages, and legal costs. State Attorneys General may also pursue civil action on behalf of their constituents.

Congressman Suozzi’s introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral Right to Worship Act, alongside Congressman Knott and Senators Cruz and Slotkin, follows his earlier introduction of the bipartisan SACRED Act in the House. Rep. Suozzi’s SACRED Act would make it a federal crime to intentionally intimidate, obstruct, or harass people exercising their right to religious worship within 100 feet of a place of worship, whether by threatening them, blocking their path, or approaching them within 8 feet for the purpose of harassment or intimidation. The Right to Worship Act improves upon the SACRED Act by imposing civil fines on additional disruptive conduct that interferes with religious services not covered by Suozzi’s original legislation.

Click here to see the full text of the Right to Worship Act.