House Passes Three Vital National Security Bills

Press Release

Today, the House passed three vital national security bills, including H.R. 4820, a bill that helps to combat ISIS and other terrorist groups' recruitment of Americans by requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to incorporate testimonials of defectors into Department of Homeland Security (DHS) efforts to counter terrorist recruitment. The bill fulfills a key recommendation from the Committee's bipartisan Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel.

Chairman McCaul: "ISIS' surge in numbers is tied to its ability to recruit and radicalize online through their slick and targeted propaganda. First-hand accounts of defectors reveal that in reality, ISIS' romanticized version of jihad is a brutal and repressive prison state. At a time when the threat to our homeland is at the highest level since 9/11, we must amplify the messages that prevent susceptible populations, including our youth, from being lured to the front lines with radical jihadists. The most effective tool to stop Americans from being brainwashed by terror groups is to use the words and personal experiences from those who have defected. It is difficult to understand how some Members of Congress could vote against this key anti-ISIS measure after Chattanooga, Paris, San Bernardino, and Brussels."

Legislation passed today also includes:

H.R. 4698, the Securing Aviation from Foreign Entry Points and Guarding Airports Through Enhanced Security Act of 2016, introduced by Rep. John Katko (R-NY), enhances aviation by requiring airport security assessments and a security coordination enhancement plan.

H.R. 3583, the PREPARE Act, introduced by Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ), reforms and improves the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Office of Emergency Communications, and the Office of Health Affairs of the Department of Homeland Security.

Source