U.S. Sen. John Cornyn announced the introduction of the Defeat Sharia Law in America Act, legislation he said is aimed at preventing the implementation of Sharia law within American communities. Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, said he is introducing the measure alongside Sen. Tommy Tuberville.
“Sharia Law is the antithesis of the rights, beliefs, & values that make Texas and America great,” Cornyn said in a statement. “I am introducing the Defeat Sharia Law in America Act with @SenTuberville to ensure any attempt to implement the hateful ideology of Sharia Law in our communities is stopped.”
Sharia Law is the antithesis of the rights, beliefs, & values that make Texas and America great.
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) February 12, 2026
I am introducing the Defeat Sharia Law in America Act with @SenTuberville to ensure any attempt to implement the hateful ideology of Sharia Law in our communities is stopped. https://t.co/kBTFUYNM2y
The legislation would prohibit municipalities, companies or other private-sector entities from mandating that employees or residents adhere to Sharia law. The proposal would also categorize the enforcement of Sharia law as a form of religious discrimination under the Civil Rights Act, framing such enforcement as a civil rights violation.
The bill is part of a broader legislative push by lawmakers concerned about what they describe as the rise of Sharia law in the United States. In recent months, related proposals have been introduced at both the federal and state levels. Among them is the “No Sharia Act,” which seeks to prevent U.S. courts from enforcing foreign laws that violate the Constitution, and a separate House bill that would deny immigration benefits or admission to individuals who adhere to Sharia law.
Cornyn and Tuberville are aligned with the recently formed Sharia Free America Caucus in the House of Representatives. The caucus was officially launched by U.S. Reps. Keith Self of Texas and Chip Roy, who are serving as co-chairs.
In announcing the caucus, Self said, “The American way of life is under siege by radicals from a culture waging war against our Constitution and Western values. We’ve seen what happens when nations allow this infiltration: countries like France and England are on the verge of losing their identity and sovereignty. The same forces are at play here in America today, and if we don’t stop them, they will conquer our country too. I am proud to co-chair the Sharia Free America Caucus with Congressman Chip Roy to defend our Constitution, preserve our freedoms, and make America a Sharia-free nation—once and for all.”
Rep. Self: “The American way of life is under siege by radicals from a culture waging war against our Constitution and Western values… If we don’t stop them, they will conquer our country.”@TexasScorecard 📰⬇️ https://t.co/yMcYxOFtxW
— Rep. Keith Self (@RepKeithSelf) December 18, 2025
The legislation has drawn criticism from civil rights organizations, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which called the bill an unconstitutional attack on religious freedom and characterized it as a publicity stunt. Critics argue the proposal is discriminatory and based on the premise that Sharia law is a political ideology rather than a system of religious guidance for Muslims. They contend that categorizing adherence to Sharia law as a civil rights violation could infringe on protections guaranteed under the First Amendment.
As of February 2026, the Defeat Sharia Law in America Act has been introduced in the Senate but has not advanced to a vote. Its future will depend on committee consideration and whether it gains sufficient support in both chambers of Congress. The debate surrounding the bill reflects broader national discussions over immigration, religious freedom and the role of foreign legal principles within the American legal system.
