Today, U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-09), a member of the Ways and Means Committee, issued a statement on the Congressional agreement on an omnibus appropriations bill which includes an increase of $5 million for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant (NPSG) program. The program provides critical support for physical security enhancements to nonprofit organization at high risk of a terrorist attack. These capital improvements include upgraded security measures, such as installing cameras, physical barriers, or controlled entry systems.

"As the second largest recipient of Nonprofit Security Grants last year, New Jerseyans should welcome the increased funding for the program in the Fiscal Year 2017 Omnibus. These funds will help improve the security of nonprofits across our country that have been increasingly the targets of attacks and threats, especially at synagogues, mosques, and churches," said Rep. Pascrell. "I was proud to work on a bipartisan basis with my leaders of the Appropriations Committee to fund this program at $25 million, which is $5 million more than last year and the highest the program was funded since it was originally established in Fiscal Year 2007. It is my hope that these funds will allow communities to increase their security to ensure individuals are able to worship in peace."

To continue his strong support for this program and to ensure the need is fully meet, Rep. Pascrell led a bipartisan letter with Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY) on April 4, 2017 (link) with 110 of their colleagues urging the co-chairs of the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Homeland Security to fund the NPSG program at $50 million in the FY2018 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. The letter cites an increase of anti-Semitic threats across the nation this year.