Groups Urge Rejection of Right to Worship Act

Muslim and Jewish advocacy groups oppose a federal bill that would penalize disruption of religious services near houses of worship.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Islam

Groups Urge Rejection of Right to Worship Act

Live Poll

Should Congress limit protests within 100 feet of houses of worship?

The Muslim Public Affairs Council and Bend the Arc: Jewish Action urged lawmakers to reject the Right to Worship Act, while the Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned it as a threat to speech protections. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and cosponsored by Republicans and Democrats, targets knowing disruption of scheduled religious services.

Why it matters

The bill would create federal penalties and private rights of action around houses of worship, drawing opposition from groups who argue it could restrict protected speech. Its bipartisan cosponsorship makes its outcome a matter of national interest for religious communities across the country.

The bill would apply within 100 feet of any house of worship during a window of one hour before and after scheduled services, with fines of $2,500 for a first violation and up to $10,000 for later ones. Private individuals could also sue for up to $5,000 per violation, and the source does not say how courts would weigh these provisions against speech protections.

The players

Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz is the Republican U.S. senator from Texas who sponsored the Right to Worship Act.

Elissa Slotkin

Elissa Slotkin is the Democratic U.S. senator from Michigan and a cosponsor of the Right to Worship Act.

Muslim Public Affairs Council

The Muslim Public Affairs Council is a Washington-based Muslim advocacy organization that urged lawmakers to reject the bill.

Bend the Arc: Jewish Action

Bend the Arc: Jewish Action is a progressive Jewish advocacy organization that joined the call to reject the bill.

Council on American-Islamic Relations

The Council on American-Islamic Relations is a Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization that condemned the bill as a threat to speech protections.

The details

The Right to Worship Act prohibits knowingly disrupting a scheduled religious service, or impeding participation in one, within 100 feet of a house of worship. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan) is a cosponsor, and 13 Democrats are cosponsors of the House version.

November 6, 2026: Article published on the joint MPAC and Bend the Arc statement opposing the bill.
September: CAIR published an explainer on the legislation.

Religious Freedom Debate

Opponents measure the Right to Worship Act against First Amendment speech protections, arguing its 100-foot buffer and private lawsuit provisions could chill protected expression near houses of worship. Supporters frame it as protecting worshippers and congregations from disruption during services.

If enacted, the bill would create federal fines of $2,500 for a first violation and up to $10,000 for later ones for disrupting services near a house of worship. Individuals who believe their rights were violated could sue for up to $5,000 per violation.

The takeaway

The Right to Worship Act shows how protections for religious services can collide with questions about speech near houses of worship. Readers following the debate should watch how the bipartisan cosponsors and advocacy groups respond as the bill moves forward.