Countering Terrorist Radicalization Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, terrorism is no longer just a national issue as we deemed it after 9/11. The attacks of terrorism are affecting our local communities, and we must address those that are perpetrating these attacks, not just simply go after the tools that they choose to use. The Boston bombers chose to use a pressure cooker, a bomb. There have been attacks using knives, there have been attacks using hatchets, there have been attacks using cars. It is the perpetrator of these acts of violence that we must address.

Earlier this year, the House passed a bill called the ALERT Act, a bill that I authored that is amplifying local efforts to root out terrorism, which, by the way, removes bureaucratic barriers and paves the way for the Federal Government to enhance State and local law enforcement's involvement in fighting the war on terrorism. By providing the tools and training needed to combat terrorism on multiple levels, the act provides for more efficient cooperation and coordination with State and local officials.

Today, everyone has to play a part in protecting against terrorism, from the neighbor next door to the local law enforcement officer. While no legislation in itself will end the threat of terrorism against our Nation, we can better utilize the valuable resources found right within our communities.

In hopes of getting the ALERT Act and two other key pieces of Homeland Security legislation to the President's desk, we have packaged them into one comprehensive bill entitled the ``Countering Terrorist Radicalization Act.'' I appreciate Chairman McCaul's leadership and sponsorship in this important piece of legislation to help stop future acts.

As we are experiencing an increase in acts of terrorism by radical Islamic terrorists that directly threaten our own communities, we must reevaluate how we combat these terrorist threats. This joint piece of legislation will better secure America by helping local law enforcement combat terrorism, keeping terrorists from entering our borders, stopping radicalization, and evaluating better security methods as we move forward.

I also want to thank my colleagues, Mr. Katko and Mr. Fleischmann, for their hard work on advancing their bills. I appreciate their collateral effort as we strive to protect Americans from violent terrorist attacks.

Because threats against America are rapidly increasing, we cannot afford to be stagnant. We must act, and we must act now.

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