Republican Lawmakers Push Bills Targeting Sharia Law in House Debate
WASHINGTON — Republican lawmakers used a coordinated House floor debate Tuesday to advocate for new legislation aimed at preventing the use of Sharia law in the U.S. legal system, saying multiple bills are ready for consideration.
The hourlong session was led by Reps. Keith Self of Texas and Chip Roy of Texas, co-chairs of the Sharia Free America Caucus. The group, formed about three months ago, has grown to include roughly 60 members from 25 states, according to Self.
Self framed the effort as a constitutional issue, emphasizing the primacy of U.S. law. “America was founded on a timeless principle, individual freedom, secured by self-government under a clear and supreme rule of constitutional law,” he said.
Roy described the push as part of a broader ideological challenge. “You cannot win a war that you do not acknowledge exists,” he said.
Other Republican lawmakers who spoke during the debate included Reps. Randy Weber, Mark Harris, Mary Miller, Russ Fulcher, Buddy Carter, Barry Moore, Sheri Biggs, Randy Fine, Eli Crane, and Scott Perry.
Several speakers stressed that the U.S. Constitution must remain the sole legal authority in American courts. “There is one law of the land, the Constitution of the United States, period,” Weber said. Fulcher added, “Sharia law cannot coexist with the U.S. Constitution and the American rule of law.”
Lawmakers also linked their concerns to national security and recent incidents. Self said “March has seen multiple incidents linked to Islamist extremism,” while others warned of potential internal threats.
Texas was a focal point of the discussion. Self cited a mosque-linked development in Plano, alleging it represented “a parallel society… a defacto Sharia enclave” within his district. He also referenced a larger proposed housing project that remains under regulatory and legal review.
Lawmakers called for swift legislative action, with Self saying “seven bills stand ready” to address what members described as the influence of Sharia law. Moore said “no foreign legal code should ever influence American courts,” while Biggs added, “If you come to America, you come to live under American laws, period.”
Fine characterized the issue as a major national concern, saying lawmakers were speaking “openly and honestly about one of the greatest threats that is facing the United States today.”
Caucus leaders encouraged broader participation in the effort. Self called on colleagues “Republican or Democrat” to join, saying the goal is to uphold “one nation, one constitution, one rule of law.” (Source: IANS)
