Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove released the following statement after the California Department of Public Health released modified guidelines to allow Houses of Worship to reopen under Stage 2.

Under CDPH's guidelines, Houses of Worship will undergo a mandatory 21-day review. Click here to read the CDPH guidelines.

"I am extremely disappointed by the Governor's guidelines for reopening Houses of Worship, especially as today we remember those who bravely sacrificed for our freedoms, including those guaranteed by the First Amendment," Grove said.

"These guidelines are not consistent with those issued for secular organizations, despite equal protection under the law. Again, the Governor has issued 'one-size-fits-all' guidelines which demand the same requirements from large and small venues, regardless of their ability to safely serve more families."

Recently, Leader Grove collected letters from thousands of Californians urging the governor to reopen Houses of Worship in Stage 2. Click here for video of some of those letters being delivered.