(The Center Square) – Republicans in the Texas House, led by state Rep. Brent Money, R-Greenville, have launched the Sharia Free Texas Caucus following a similar federal caucus launched by Texas Republican congressmen.
Sharia law, an Islamic legal framework derived from Islamic texts, including the Quran and Hadith, “has fueled centuries of oppression, including violence against women, children, and non-believers who refuse to submit. It rejects freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and equal protection under its laws – all of which are foundational to Texas law and culture,” caucus members state.
“Texas has always been a beacon of freedom, forged in the fires of independence and rooted in unyielding Christian values,” Money said. “We defiantly declare: We will not stand idly by as Islamic influences seek to transform our great state into another conquered territory. The Sharia Free Texas Caucus will fight until our last breath to ensure Texas will remain sovereign, Christian, and free.”
The goal of the caucus is to advance legislation “to prohibit Sharia practices that oppress women, incite violence against non-believers and condone dishonesty.” The caucus wants to equip law enforcement with tools to investigate and dismantle networks with alleged ties to terrorism, including the Muslim Brotherhood, Council on American-Islamic Relations, and other groups designated as foreign terrorist organizations by Gov. Greg Abbott. CAIR is suing Abbott and won its first round in a lawsuit filed against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, The Center Square reported.
Its other stated goals are to reinforce “the Biblical foundations for the liberties and freedoms that have built Western civilization and the Great State of Texas” and reform public benefit programs under state law “to ensure they prioritize the welfare, security or prosperity of Texas citizens.”
Founding members are all Republicans, including state Reps. Daniel Alders, Janis Holt, Andy Hopper, Carrie Isaac, Terry Leo-Wilson, Mitch Little, Shelley Luther, Don McLaughlin, Mike Olcott, Katrina Pierson, Keresa Richardson, Alan Schoolcraft, Joanne Shofner, Wes Virdell, Trey Wharton and outgoing Rep. Steve Toth, who won his primary race for U.S. Senate.
The caucus was launched after state Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, in January called for legislative hearings to address the issue, The Center Square reported.
Money also clarified “the Sharia-Free Texas movement is not only for Christians. It is for people of any religion or no religion, even Muslims that oppose totalitarian Sharia.”
He is also using the issue to raise money. “Texas law and culture has always been rooted in personal liberty and Christian values. If you believe Texas laws should stay rooted in these principles, please make your voice heard and sign the petition today. #ShariaFreeTexas,” he said in a social media post that includes a fundraising link.
The caucus was created several months after Texas Republicans, U.S. Reps. Keith Self and Chip Roy, launched the federal Sharia Free America Caucus. It now has 46 members from 22 states, The Center Square reported.
It was also created after a Texas mayor was the first to ban Sharia law and the state comptroller held school choice applications submitted by private schools with potential connections to foreign adversaries, including to Sharia law. Attorney General Ken Paxton also issued a formal opinion supporting the comptroller’s action.
These anti-Sharia initiatives began after Abbott first took multiple actions to combat Sharia law, including launching an investigation into a Sharia tribunal in north Texas, The Center Square reported.
Texas’ Republican U.S. senators have also introduced several measures, including Sen. John Cornyn introducing Defeat Sharia Law in America Act and the No Sharia Act.
Sen. Ted Cruz filed a bill multiple times over the past 10 years to amend the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987 to ban all Muslim Brotherhood members from the U.S., The Center Square reported.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has also listed addressing Sharia law as a top legislative priority for the next legislative session.
On March 3, Republican primary voters overwhelmingly voted in support of a ballot proposition to ban Sharia law in Texas, which received nearly 95% of the vote.
