Overview
- A House Judiciary subcommittee held a second “Sharia‑Free America” hearing Wednesday that focused on alleged Islamist influence in Texas projects and institutions.
- Rep. Chip Roy argued Sharia conflicts with U.S. law and cited the East Plano Islamic Center as an example, and his November bill to bar immigration benefits for those who adhere to Sharia has not advanced.
- Democrats, led by Ranking Member Mary Gay Scanlon, said there is no plot to impose Sharia and called the hearings a manufactured crisis meant to rally voters before the midterms.
- Four Texas witnesses testified, including activist Amy Mekelburg, who accused CAIR of aiding extremism, and Baptist leader Amanda Tyler, who said anti‑Sharia statutes violate the First Amendment.
- The dispute has hardened, with CAIR labeling the Sharia‑Free America caucus an anti‑Muslim hate group in February and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott labeling CAIR a foreign terrorist group in November.