House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA) released the following statement on the third anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing:
"Today, we remember the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and its aftermath--the four dead and hundreds wounded--who were targeted by homegrown terrorists. The horrific events at the marathon reminded Americans of the threats we face, and demonstrated to the world that we remain undaunted. The strength of the citizens of Boston and the Commonwealth; the bravery of law enforcement; the service and leadership of the first responders, healthcare workers, and investigators; and the continued commitment to improving our homeland security all stand as a strong testament to the futility of trying to intimidate Americans into submission. When we are united, we can face any adversity.
"Three years on from the Boston Marathon bombing, this Committee continues to lead in helping improve our nation's counterterrorism capabilities. Progress has been made in fixing the failures which we identified in our investigation, but as we know all too well, our enemy is adaptive. There is no quick fix to the problems we face, but we are committed to defeating our enemy and saving innocent lives. As we still mourn those we lost, we will never lose sight of the mission before us."
The Committee has released two bipartisan reports in the years following the Boston bombing, and identified key recommendations for continued improvement in counterterrorism efforts. The Committee has continued to monitor the federal government's progress in closing the gaps that contributed to the tragic events in Boston. As a result of this work, federal agencies now engage in more regular sharing of information with local law enforcement, and provide greater security of international travelers that may pose a threat to the United States. America is safer today because of these efforts.