Portman’s bill seeks increase in terrorist protection grants for nonprofits

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) on May 16 sponsored a proposal that would provide $15 million more in federal funding to secure nonprofit facilities from terrorist attacks.

“As I’ve said many times, there is no place for hatred or bigotry of any kind toward our fellow citizens,” Sen. Portman said. “The threats and attacks we’ve seen across our country are attacks on our values and this bipartisan bill will help protect faith- and cultural-based institutions in Ohio and across our country.”

Sen. Portman introduced the bipartisan Protecting Faith-Based and Nonprofit Organizations From Terrorism Act of 2019, S. 1539, with cosponsor U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) to authorize $75 million annually for fiscal years 2020 through 2024 for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which provides grants to nonprofits and faith-based organizations to help secure their facilities against a potential terrorist attack.

If enacted, S. 1539 would make available $50 million of the total $75 million for nonprofits located within high-risk urban areas, according to a summary provided by Sen. Portman’s office that also noted the remaining $25 million would be made available for organizations located outside such areas.

Under S. 1539, federal funds could be used for target-hardening activities, personnel training and other related activities, according to the summary. The NSGP funding request would constitute a $15 million increase over the current funding levels for the program, Sen. Portman said.

“Ensuring that synagogues, religious and cultural institutions, and nonprofit organizations have the resources and training they need to secure their facilities is one way Congress can help address this unnecessary violence that has tragically become more and more common,” said Sen. Portman.

The lawmaker also recently joined a bipartisan contingent of 31 other senators in sending an April 15 letter to U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Jon Tester (D-MT), chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, requesting the same $75 million in funding for the NSGP.

S. 1539 has been referred to the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for consideration.