WASHINGTON – Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee, today applauded Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kevin McAleenan’s announcement of a Homeland Security Advisory Council Subcommittee (HSAC) focused on threats to places of worship and religious institutions. Rogers called on McAleenan to create the council last month.

“The ability to worship freely and without fear of prosecution is a bedrock American principle,” Rogers said. “Unfortunately, attacks on churches, synagogues, mosques, and other places of worship have  become far too common. I applaud Acting Secretary McAleenan for creating an initiative focused on how DHS can work with religious institutions to protect against acts of violence. We must continue this progress against international and domestic terrorists fueled by hateful ideology.”

Background: The HSAC is a DHS advisory committee that creates policy recommendations and advice. It is made up of policymakers, members of state, local, and tribal governments, emergency and first responders, academics, and the private sector.

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