The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and CAIR Action will release the 2026 August Recess Advocacy Toolkit and host a national advocacy webinar on Thursday, July 30, at 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. CT / 6:30 p.m. MT / 5:30 p.m. PT) to prepare American Muslims and allies to engage members of Congress during the upcoming August congressional recess.
The toolkit focuses on stopping deeper U.S.-Israel military and intelligence integration, defending equal protection and free speech, opposing anti-Muslim attacks in Congress, and preventing unauthorized regional war.
Register for the webinar: CAIR National and CAIR Action Webinar
The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to be out of session beginning Friday, July 24, and to resume work on Monday, August 31. The U.S. Senate’s August recess is scheduled to begin Saturday, August 8, with regular session work resuming Monday, September 14.
During this period, members of Congress will be back in their home states and districts meeting with constituents, creating a critical opportunity for advocates to raise their voices at town halls, district office meetings, and community events. CAIR and CAIR Action’s 2026 August Recess Advocacy Toolkit provides the information, talking points, constituent questions, and legislative asks needed to take meaningful action.
Join the CAIR National and CAIR Action webinarto learn how to effectively engage lawmakers, conduct congressional meetings, ask impactful questions at public events, and advocate on issues affecting American Muslims and communities impacted by U.S. domestic and foreign policy.
The toolkit will be available for download on Thursday, July 30.
The toolkit includes background information, talking points, constituent questions, and legislative asks on the following key issues:
Issue One: Opposing U.S.-Israel Military and Intelligence Integration
- Congress has voted on legislation that would deepen U.S.-Israel military, intelligence, defense-industrial, cyber, artificial intelligence, surveillance, and regional security integration while Israel continues its genocide in Gaza, expands its illegal occupation and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank, and escalates violence across the region. Advocates will be following up to express disappointed with those who voted in favor, and to share our appreciation with those who voted against this legislation. Senators will be urged to block the passage of this dangerous integration
- These measures would embed Israel more deeply into U.S. defense planning, weapons development, intelligence sharing, military research, AI systems, cyber operations, and defense supply chains, making U.S. support more automatic and difficult to reverse.
- The toolkit urges Congress to oppose provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act, Intelligence Authorization Act, FUTURES Act, and related legislation that expand U.S.-Israel military and intelligence cooperation.
Issue Two: Opposing the “Unequal Protection Act” and Defending Equal Protection and Free Speech
- CAIR and CAIR Action recently joined more than 61 civil rights, faith-based, academic, and advocacy organizations in opposing the misleadingly titled Jewish American Security Act, which they describe as the “Unequal Protection Act.”
- The legislation raises concerns about unequal federal protections, the use of the controversial and misleading IHRA definition of antisemitism, and threats to free speech and advocacy related to Palestine and Palestinian human rights.
- The toolkit calls on Congress to protect all targeted communities from hate while preserving free speech, religious freedom, due process, and equal protection under the law.
Issue Three: Defeating the Sharia-Free America Caucus and Opposing Anti-Muslim Congressional Attacks
- CAIR has designated the so-called Sharia-Free America Caucus as an anti-Muslim hate group masquerading as a congressional caucus and is urging Congress to reject its agenda, hearings, and legislation.
- The toolkit highlights legislation and congressional activities that promote anti-Muslim conspiracy theories and stigmatize Islam and American Muslims.
- Advocates will encourage lawmakers to publicly oppose the caucus and reaffirm that American Muslims are entitled to the same First Amendment rights and equal citizenship as every other faith community.
Issue Four: Opposing Unauthorized Regional War in the Middle East
- Congress must oppose any U.S. funding, authorization, weapons transfers, intelligence support, logistical assistance, or military participation that enables unauthorized regional war in the Middle East, including conflict with Iran and continued U.S. support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank.
- The toolkit highlights congressional efforts to reassert constitutional war powers and prevent unauthorized military action while opposing U.S. complicity in regional escalation and war crimes.
- Advocates will urge support for legislation and resolutions that block unauthorized war, restrict offensive weapons transfers, and strengthen congressional oversight over decisions of war and peace.
CAIR is a 501(c)(3) organization and America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
CAIR Action is a 501(c)(4) organization. Its mission is to engage, educate, and mobilize Muslim voters, train emerging leaders, and champion policy priorities that enhance the well-being and representation of Muslim communities. Through its work, CAIR Action aims to foster a more equitable and inclusive democratic society where the rights and voices of Muslims are acknowledged and respected.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; Basim Elkarra, Executive Director, CAIR Action, [email protected]; CAIR Action Communications, [email protected]