On Friday, March 4, OU Advocacy Executive Director Nathan Diament joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) at the Kemp Mill Synagogue in Silver Spring, MD for a press conference at a local synagogue highlighting the need to increase federal funding to support the security of religious and nonprofit community organizations. At the press conference, Senator Van Hollen and community leaders will point to the rise in hate and antisemitism facing our religious communities and emphasize the need to boost federal funding to support their safety.

The Senator’s press conference came as U.S. law enforcement officials urge faith communities to remain vigilant against violent threats in the wake of a hostage situation at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas. Specifically, the Senator will highlight his work on the Appropriations Committee to boost funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to provide support for physical security enhancements and training to religious nonprofit organizations that are at risk of attack. Senator Van Hollen has repeatedly fought to increase funding for this program, including working to secure $180 million for the program last year. Senator Van Hollen is continuing to fight to double NSGP’s funding level to $360 million annually.