U.S. Rep. Chip Roy said he is launching a new House caucus aimed at opposing the influence of Sharia law, joining fellow Texas Republican Keith Self in what they describe as a response to national security and constitutional concerns.
Roy and Self announced the formation of the Sharia- Free America Caucus on Thursday, Dec. 18, saying the group would focus on immigration policy, national security and what they characterize as the incompatibility of Sharia law with the U.S. Constitution.
“This caucus is about ensuring that our constitutional system remains the foundation of American law,” Roy said, arguing that Sharia law poses a threat to constitutional rights.
Self echoed those concerns, saying the caucus would work to preserve what he described as Western democratic values.
The Sharia-Free America Caucus is expected to begin outreach to House members in the coming weeks, according to a press release from Roy’s office, as Roy and Self seek broader support for their legislative agenda.
The caucus announcement received public support from U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who has previously spoken out against Sharia law and immigration policies tied to national security issues, according to the release.
The move follows recent legislative efforts by Roy and Self, including the filing of the Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act, which would direct federal agencies to deny entry or remove foreign nationals who adhere to Sharia law, according to the bill language.
The proposal would also revoke immigration benefits from individuals found to have provided false information related to Sharia adherence.
Roy has previously called for tighter immigration enforcement and raised concerns linking Sharia law to immigration policy, a position he has emphasized in public statements and interviews.
Additional legislative activity related to Sharia law has emerged from Texas officials in recent weeks.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz has reintroduced legislation to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, while Gov. Greg Abbott has issued directives targeting Islamic organizations operating in the state, actions that have prompted legal challenges from civil rights groups.
Abbott has argued that organizations designated as foreign terrorist groups should not retain tax-exempt status, citing past federal court findings, while groups named in the directives deny wrongdoing and say the actions violate constitutional protections.
Earlier this month, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn introduced legislation that would allow the Treasury Department to terminate the tax-exempt status of organizations found to provide material support to terrorism, expanding existing federal authority, according to statements released by his office.
.png)
