Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., told Newsmax on Wednesday that a recent campaign poll in his congressional district found concern about what he called the "Islamification" of America ranked ahead of issues such as abortion, healthcare, and the conflict with Iran, reflecting what he said are voters' fears about preserving the nation's values.
Fine told "Ed Henry: The Big Take" that he insisted his pollster include a question about "radical Islam" despite initial resistance.
"Typically, when people are running for office, you ask a poll about the No. 1 issue people are facing," Fine said.
"There's usually the standard 12 things: inflation, healthcare, abortion, Second Amendment. I said, 'I want you to put radical Islam in.'"
According to Fine, his pollster argued "no one will care," but he said the results proved otherwise.
"I insisted, and I'm paying for it, so I get to decide," Fine said. "To their surprise, not mine, seven times as many people said they were worried about radical Islam than many, many other issues that are typically bread-and-butter issues."
Fine said he believes voters are concerned because they see "values coming to the United States that are different than the values that this country was built upon."
"As we celebrate our 250th anniversary, we cannot allow that to take hold in our country," he said.
Fine also promoted his No Sharia Act, saying federal legislation that would apply to U.S. courts and government institutions is necessary even as states including Florida have enacted laws restricting the use of certain foreign legal codes in court proceedings.
"My bill would say, 'No, if you want to practice your religion in peace and prosperity on your own, that's fine; but you can't force it on other people," he said.
"And that's the purpose of Shariah law, to make those who do not want to believe in Shariah adhere."
Fine said the legislation "would absolutely affect blue states" if enacted.
Asked whether he believes the measure can pass Congress, Fine said he is uncertain but pledged to continue pressing the issue.
"Will we be able to get it passed? I don't know," he said. "But I'm not going to stop fighting until we do that."
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