Florida GOP Rep. Randy Fine announced Thursday that he is introducing legislation dubbed the "Protecting Puppies from Sharia Act," which comes after he faced backlash for a social media post over the weekend about dogs and Muslims.

Fine claimed in the controversial post on Sunday that if he was forced to choose, "the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one," after pro-Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani claimed "dogs definitely have a place in society, just not as indoor pets."

The Republican lawmaker is expected to introduce the legislation Friday, which will ban federal funds for states and local governments that ban people from having dogs as pets. Although no state has an outright ban on dogs, some places ban certain breeds.

"You're allowed to practice your faith in privacy and in freedom, but it ends when you tell me what I have to believe," Fine said on the "Just The News, No Noise" TV show. "You don't get to do that in America. There are 57 countries in the world where you can go be Sharia compliant and not have a dog. It's my job to make sure we don't become number 58 and with a guy like [New York City Mayor Zohran] Mamdani, we have to be worried about that." 

The legislation will be cosponsored by Texas GOP Reps. Keith Self, Chip Roy and Brandon Gill, along with GOP Reps. Mary Miller of Illinois, Eli Crane of Arizona, Sherry Biggs of South Carolina and Andy Harris of Maryland.

"In America, we cherish dogs—loyal companions, beloved family, and yes, true gifts from God," Self said in a post on X confirming his sponsorship. "Any foreign ideology that tries to strip Americans of our right to own dogs is not welcome here."