House Passes Key Bill To Streamline Counterterrorism Efforts

Press Release

he United States faces the highest terror threat environment since 9/11. Today the House passed a bill to streamline and integrate counterterrorism activities at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Introduced by Rep. John Katko (R-NY), H.R. 4407 authorizes a Counterterrorism Advisory Board (CTAB), outlines its structure and function, and requires the board to advise the Secretary of Homeland Security on the issuance of terrorism alerts. This legislation is the result of a key recommendation from the Committee's bipartisan Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel.

Chairman McCaul: "Our enemies continue to target security gaps to threaten America and our allies--yet our counterterrorism defenses have not kept pace with the evolving threat. We need to be as nimble as the terrorists we are facing, and we must deny them any opportunity to strike. Rep. John Katko's bill helps to put efforts like the DHS Counterterrorism Advisory Board on a stronger footing and will help ensure our efforts to protect the homeland and the American people are efficient and effective."

Legislation passed today also includes:

H.R. 1887, to amend certain appropriation Acts to repeal the requirement directing the Administrator of General Services to sell Federal property and assets that support the operations of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in Plum Island, New York, and for other purposes, introduced by Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), repeals provisions providing for the sale of federal property and assets supporting the Department of Homeland Security's Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York.

H.R. 4743, National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act of 2016, introduced by Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX), authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium to engage academic, nonprofit, private industry, and federal, state, and local government partners to address cybersecurity risks and incidents, including threats or acts of terrorism.

H.R. 4780, the Department of Homeland Security Strategy for International Programs Act, introduced by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a comprehensive strategy for Department of Homeland Security operations abroad.

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