NY Congressional Members Laud Security Funding

Democratic Congressional members from New York are lauding the recent passage of increased funding to help improve security at houses of worship.

Ten Democratic U.S. representatives issued a statement on Thursday and nine of them appeared at a press conference at the Museum of Jewish Heritage.

Grant workshops will be held throughout New York City area in the coming months to help high-risk nonprofit institutions learn about the program and apply for funding.

The politicians said that as part of legislation passed last month, Congress increased funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $90 million, a 50 percent increase from previous funding levels. The grants will help improve security at such institutions as synagogues, mosques, churches, and community centers.

On Saturday night, a man rushed into a rabbi’s home in Monsey, New York, during a Chanukah celebration, hacking at people with a machete and injuring five.

“…Everyone should be able to worship and pray in peace,” said the statement issued by Reps. Max Rose, Jerrold Nadler, Yvette Clarke, Eliot Engel, Hakeem Jeffries, Carolyn Maloney, Nita Lowey, Gregory Meeks, Grace Meng and Nydia Velázquez.