Washington, D.C. | www.mpac.org | November 5, 2026 — The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) and Bend the Arc: Jewish Action are renewing our call for Congress to oppose S. 5289, the Right to Worship Act, ahead of the Senate Judiciary Committee's scheduled vote on Tuesday, November 10.

In our September 23 joint statement, we raised serious concerns that the legislation, while intended to protect religious communities, could undermine fundamental First Amendment protections. As the bill advances, those concerns remain unresolved.

As Muslim and Jewish organizations, we understand the urgent need to protect houses of worship from threats, violence, intimidation, and physical obstruction. Every person deserves to practice their faith freely and safely. However, protecting religious freedom must not come at the expense of other constitutional rights.

S. 5289's broad language, 100-foot restrictions, and private right of action risk chilling lawful speech, peaceful assembly, and political protest, including on public sidewalks and streets. The legislation fails to adequately distinguish between genuine threats to religious exercise and constitutionally protected expression.
Our communities know firsthand the consequences of religious hatred and discrimination. We reject the notion that protecting Muslim and Jewish Americans requires weakening the constitutional freedoms that safeguard us all.

As the Senate Judiciary Committee prepares for Tuesday's vote, MPAC and Bend the Arc: Jewish Action urge Committee members to oppose S. 5289 as currently drafted. Additionally, we do not foresee any amendments that could be made to the bill that would eliminate the danger it poses. Congress must pursue narrowly tailored protections that safeguard religious communities without restricting lawful expression.

Religious freedom and free speech are not competing rights. Protecting one must never come at the expense of the other.