This Act granted federal prosecutors greater power in pursuing those responsible for burnings and desecrations at houses of worship.

Church Arson Investigations

Responding to a sharp increase in arson cases involving houses of worship, President Bill Clinton forms the National Church Arson Task Force. This plan implements a strategy to identify and prosecute arsonists. Between January 1995 and May of 1997, ATF investigates 429 church arson crime scenes.