FILE PHOTO: Randy Fine, Republican nominee for 2025 Florida's 6th congressional district special election, speaks at a watch party, as Florida holds a special election for a U.S. House of Representatives seat vacated by National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, in Ormond Beach, Florida, U.S. April 1, 2025. REUTERS/Octavio Jones/File Photo
Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL), an extreme-right lawmaker known for his virulent anti-Muslim rhetoric, doubled down on Thursday after he came under bipartisan fire for claiming that Muslims should have fewer rights in America than dogs.
In a post to X, he announced what he called the "Protect Puppies From Sharia Act," which, in his reckoning, would bar federal funds from any state or city that bans dogs under Islamic Sharia law — something no jurisdiction in America is proposing, and that even Islamic scholars dispute is a real thing.
"I am proud to introduce the Protecting Puppies from Sharia Act," wrote Fine. "Democrats are losing their minds because I made a simple statement — given a choice between our dogs and those who would ban them, the choice is easy. They can pound sand. This bill will ban federal funds to any state or local government that considers dogs 'haram.'"
"Proceed accordingly, Mamdani," Fine added, a jab at the newly elected Muslim mayor of New York City, who has at no point called for prohibiting dogs.
Fine's legislation already has sponsorship from a handful of other far-right lawmakers, including Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), who is currently running for Texas Attorney General, and Rep. Keith Self (R-TX).
However, it has also drawn immediate scorn and mockery from the Democratic caucus.
"I need a new file cabinet again for my 'I work with idiots' collection," wrote Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI).