U.S. Rep. Nick Begich (R-Alaska) has joined the Sharia-Free America Caucus, a U.S. House group dedicated to blocking the influence of Sharia law in American life.
The caucus was launched on December 18, 2025, by co-chairs Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) and Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX). In their announcement, the lawmakers described Sharia as “a dominating force that is not compatible with the U.S. Constitution” and said the group would work to counter its rise in U.S. courts, communities, immigration policy, and national institutions.
Formed in response to what its founders call an “alarming rise” of Sharia-influenced practices, the caucus opposes core elements of Sharia – including penalties for apostasy or blasphemy, unequal rights for women, restrictions on free speech, and parallel legal systems, all of which the group says conflict with the First Amendment, equal protection, and the Constitution’s supremacy.
The stated goals of the caucus are to defend the U.S. Constitution as the sole source of American law, raise public awareness of Sharia’s incompatibility with Western liberal democracy and support legislation and oversight that prevents foreign or religious legal doctrines from shaping U.S. policy, courts or immigration.
ALASKA WATCHMAN DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX
Since its launch, the caucus has grown rapidly. By late last month, it included more than 60 members from 25 states, among them House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Rep. Byron Donalds, and Rep. Scott Perry.
Late last month, the Sharia-Free America Caucus co-chairs, Self and Roy, took to the House floor for an hour-long speech about the clear threat Sharia poses to U.S. families, communities and the nation as a whole.
The aim of the caucus is to target specific legal doctrines, not Islam or its followers.
