House Resolution 4097 attempting to designate CAIR as foreign terrorist organization

 Arizona Legislative Democrats 

1700 W. Washington Street 

Phoenix, AZ 85007-2890 

December 4, 2025 

Sent via Email 

Representative Mike Johnson Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives United States Congress 

Re: House Resolution 4097 attempting to designate CAIR as foreign terrorist organization 

Dear Speaker Johnson, 

We, the undersigned Democratic members of the Arizona State Legislature, are writing to ask you to prevent the passage of H.R. 4097, which would have the U.S. Secretary of State review whether or not the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) meets the criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization. 

CAIR does not meet the criteria for a foreign terrorist organization as defined in 8 USC 1189(a)(1). First, CAIR is not a foreign organization, it was founded in and is headquartered in the United States. Second, there is also no evidence that the organization—which serves the mission of enhancing understanding of Islam, protecting civil rights, promoting justice, and empowering American Muslims—engages in any terrorist activity as defined in 8 USC 1182(a)(3)(B) or terrorism as defined in 22 USC 2656f(d)(2). 

This bill, and its counterparts in state legislatures, continue the unfounded claims that CAIR has relations with terrorist organizations and is a threat to the United States. While CAIR has an emphasis on supporting the Islamic community, their work also helps ensure all Americans rights are protected. In our experience with the organization, it is clear that they are dedicated to ensuring the freedom of religion and expression, protecting civil rights, and condemning all acts of violence against civilians. 

At a time when the majority of Americans don’t earn enough to afford the basic costs of living following years of high inflation and widening wealth gaps, the Congressional Republican Caucus should be focusing on legislation that help relieve the rising costs that everyday American families are struggling with instead of bills that could increase hate crimes against Muslim Americans. 

Islam is the third largest religion in the U.S. and the 4.5 million Muslims living in the U.S. deserve to live in a country where they are not scapegoated and discriminated against because of their beliefs. 

We urge you to do the right thing and stop this bill from moving through the legislative process and instead use that time to focus on addressing the issues that truly impact Americans day-to-day lives. 

Respectfully, Senate Democratic  Asst. Leader  Catherine Miranda  Senator LD 11	Mariana Sandoval  Representative LD 23	Senate Democratic Leader  Priya Sundareshan  Senator LD 18
Senate Democratic Whip  Rosanna Gabaldon  Senator LD 21	Senate Democratic  Caucus Chair  Lela Alston  Senator LD 5	House Democratic Leader Oscar De Los Santos Representative LD 11
House Democratic Whip Quantá Crews Representative LD 26	Analise Ortiz Senator LD 24	Sally Ann Gonzales Senator LD 20
Flavio Bravo Senator LD 26	Kiana Maria Sears Senator LD 9	Lauren Kuby  Senator LD 8
Eva Diaz  Senator LD 22	Theresa Hatathlie  Senator LD 6	Stephanie Stahl Hamilton Representative LD 21
Janeen Connolly Representative LD 8	Stephanie Simacek Representative LD 2	Sarah Liguori Representative LD 5