Republican lawmakers in the Texas House have formed a new legislative group aimed at opposing the influence of Sharia law in the state.
The group, called the Sharia Free Texas Caucus, is being led by state Rep. Brent Money, R-Greenville, and was created following the launch of a similar federal caucus by Texas Republican members of Congress.
Sharia law, an Islamic legal framework derived from religious texts such as the Quran and Hadith, has long been a subject of debate among policymakers. Supporters of the new caucus argue that certain interpretations of Sharia conflict with constitutional protections and Western legal principles.
“Texas has always been a beacon of freedom, forged in the fires of independence and rooted in unyielding Christian values,” Money said in a statement announcing the caucus. “We will not stand idly by as Islamic influences seek to transform our great state into another conquered territory.”
The caucus says its primary goal is to advance legislation designed to prohibit practices associated with Sharia law that members believe could undermine individual liberties or encourage violence. Lawmakers also say they want to give law enforcement additional tools to investigate and dismantle networks they claim may have ties to extremist organizations.
Among the groups mentioned by caucus supporters are the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Gov. Greg Abbott has previously designated certain organizations as foreign terrorist entities, though CAIR has challenged such actions in court and is currently engaged in legal battles related to similar policies in other states.
In addition to security concerns, caucus members say they intend to promote legislation reinforcing what they describe as the “Biblical foundations” of Western liberties and to reform public benefit programs to prioritize Texas citizens.
The caucus includes more than a dozen Republican lawmakers in the Texas House. Founding members include 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 recently won his primary race for U.S. Senate.
The effort follows calls earlier this year by state Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, for legislative hearings addressing Sharia law in Texas.
Money has also emphasized that the initiative is not directed at Muslims as individuals. “The Sharia-Free Texas movement is not only for Christians,” he said. “It is for people of any religion or no religion, even Muslims that oppose totalitarian Sharia.”
The state caucus mirrors a federal initiative launched by U.S. Reps. Keith Self and Chip Roy of Texas. The federal Sharia Free America Caucus now reportedly includes 46 members from 22 states.
Several related policy efforts have also emerged in Texas. State leaders have investigated a Sharia tribunal in North Texas, examined school choice applicants with alleged foreign ties, and issued legal opinions related to concerns about religious legal systems operating alongside U.S. law.
At the federal level, Texas Republican senators have introduced legislation addressing the issue. Sen. John Cornyn proposed the Defeat Sharia Law in America Act and the No Sharia Act, while Sen. Ted Cruz has repeatedly introduced legislation seeking to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.
The issue has also gained support among Republican voters. In the March 3 Republican primary, nearly 95 percent of voters supported a ballot proposition calling for a ban on Sharia law in Texas.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has indicated that addressing the issue will likely be a priority during the state’s next legislative session.
