Condemning the violent disruption of a religious worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, reaffirming the constitutional right to religious freedom, and commending the Department of Justice for its prompt investigation.

Bill Number

H.Res. 1026

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-01-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-02-03T15:10:25Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 1026) condemns a specific incident of violent disruption during a religious worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18, 2026. It reaffirms the constitutional right to religious freedom under the First Amendment and praises the Department of Justice (DOJ) for its quick response in investigating the event. The resolution aims to denounce actions that interfere with worship, highlight relevant federal laws, and promote the protection of religious exercise without fear or intimidation.

Key Provisions

• Condemnation of the Incident: Strongly denounces the forcible entry by protesters into the church sanctuary during an active service, including shouting over clergy, physical obstruction, intimidation of worshipers (including families and children), and creation of a threatening environment.
• Affirmation of Rights: Reiterates that the First Amendment protects the free exercise of religion, including the right to worship peacefully without coercion, violence, or disruption. It clarifies that while peaceful protests are allowed, entering a place of worship to obstruct services is not protected speech.
• Reference to Federal Law: Cites the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act, 18 U.S.C. 248), which prohibits using force, threats, or physical obstruction to interfere with religious exercise at worship sites. The resolution notes this law provides criminal penalties and civil remedies for such violations, treating them as serious civil rights offenses.
• Criticism of Specific Involvement: Condemns media figure Don Lemon for reportedly participating in the disruption, viewing it as an abuse of influence that encourages unlawful conduct and undermines religious protections.
• Praise for DOJ and Call to Action: Commends the DOJ for its prompt investigation into all involved parties and urges federal, state, and local authorities to enforce laws ensuring safe worship. It warns that failing to condemn such acts could normalize religious intimidation.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding resolution, not a law or bill that amends statutes. It introduces no changes to existing legal frameworks but reinforces the application of current laws like the FACE Act and First Amendment protections by publicly recognizing potential violations in this case.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Encourages the DOJ and other authorities to prioritize investigations and enforcement of civil rights laws related to religious freedom, potentially leading to increased scrutiny of similar incidents.
• On Citizens: Signals strong congressional support for protecting religious communities from disruptions, which may bolster public confidence in worship rights but could heighten tensions around protest activities near religious sites. It may deter future interference by emphasizing legal consequences.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it underscores U.S. commitment to religious liberty, which could influence perceptions abroad of American values on civil rights.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Religious Communities and Worshipers: Directly benefits churches and faith groups by affirming protections against harassment, potentially enhancing their sense of security.
• Protesters and Activists: Faces condemnation for disruptive tactics, with warnings that such actions violate federal law and are not shielded by free speech.
• Media Figures and Public Influencers: Specifically targets individuals like Don Lemon, highlighting accountability for promoting or joining unlawful disruptions.
• Department of Justice and Law Enforcement: Receives commendation and urging for action, which may guide resource allocation toward civil rights enforcement.
• General Public: Affected indirectly through reinforced emphasis on balancing protest rights with religious exercise.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Highlights the FACE Act's applicability to religious worship disruptions (originally focused on clinics but extended to worship sites), potentially setting a precedent for prosecuting similar cases as civil rights violations with criminal and civil penalties.
• Constitutional Implications: Reinforces the First Amendment's free exercise clause by distinguishing protected peaceful assembly from unprotected intimidation or obstruction, emphasizing worship sites' special status under federal law.
• Political Implications: As a partisan resolution introduced by Rep. Carter of Georgia and referred to the House Judiciary Committee, it serves as a symbolic statement from the House majority, potentially fueling debates on religious liberty versus protest rights. It risks politicizing investigations by naming individuals and could influence public discourse on media responsibility and civil rights enforcement without creating enforceable obligations.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]

Recent Actions

• 2026-01-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2026-01-30: Submitted in House
• 2026-01-30: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Condemning the violent disruption of a religious worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, reaffirming the constitutional right to religious freedom, and commending the Department of Justice for its prompt investigation. — issued 2026-01-30 — PDF (4 pages)