WASHINGTON (JTA) — The U.S. Senate approved an increase in funding for the protection of religious organizations.
The conference report for 2010 passed Tuesday includes $19 million in funding for a grant program to improve security for non-profits and religious institutions. The funds allocated for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program represent a $4 million increase from present levels.
Jewish groups, including United Jewish Communities and the Orthodox Union, had lobbied for the funding increase and are lauding its passage. The House of Representatives approved the funding increase last week; all that remains is for President Obama to sign the bill.
"Since Sept. 11th, nonprofits generally, and Jewish communal institutions specifically, have been the victim of an alarming number of threats and attacks," said William Daroff, vice president for public policy and director of UJC/The Jewish Federations of North America’s Washington office. "The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is a proven resource that helps supplement the work of local and federal law enforcement to keep us safe."
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