Gottheimer Announces Plan to Fight Lone Wolf Terrorists

Press Release

Backed by more than one hundred police officers at the Paramus Police headquarters today, Josh Gottheimer, candidate for Congress in the 5th District, said standing strong against terror was "nonnegotiable" as he announced a Five-Point Plan to Combat Lone Wolf Terrorists. The New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association endorsed Gottheimer this morning over Tea Party incumbent Scott Garrett.

According to Gottheimer, the recent tragic terror attacks in Orlando and San Bernardino demonstrate the growing threat posed by ISIS-inspired lone wolf terrorists.

"Just like we must fight ISIS abroad, with everything we've got in our arsenal, we must fight ISIS and every Islamic fundamentalist here at home with equal resolve," said Gottheimer. "In many ways, the threat here is much more elusive and harder to stomp out. We have American citizens watching anti-American, radical propaganda videos from their homes on YouTube. Their training camps are in America's living rooms, not in Iraq or Syria, which is why, more than ever, we need law enforcement to protect our families."

Gottheimer added, "When you allow terrorists to barge into our cockpits, vote against veterans and health care for our 9/11 first responders, allow ISIS-inspired terrorists to buy guns, vote against resources to stop lone wolf terrorists in our communities -- you are the walking definition of soft on terror. I believe that if you fail to protect our families and communities, if you're soft on terror, you should be disqualified from representing us. Plain and simple, it's time for new leadership."

In addition to the more than one hundred police officers, Gottheimer and NJSPBA President Patrick Colligan were joined by Congressman Bill Pascrell, County Executive James Tedesco, Sheriff Michael Saudino and Paramus Mayor Rich LaBarbiera.

Gottheimer received the endorsement of the 33,000 member New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association (NJSPBA) for his firm commitment to ensuring the men and women who keep New Jersey families safe have the tools and resources they need to prevent and defeat terrorism. [Endorsement letters attached]

NJSPBA President Patrick Colligan said that his members voted unanimously to endorse Gottheimer. He blasted Tea Partier Scott Garrett for repeatedly failing law enforcement officers.

"We're proud to stand with Josh, because he understands the sacrifices police officers make to keep our communities safe every day," said Colligan. "Meanwhile, as disappointing as it was that Scott Garrett voted 12 times against putting more police officers on our streets, it was simply unconscionable that he voted against health care for law enforcement and first responders in the wake of the horrific September 11th attack. Quite simply, there is no excuse. We will fight for a congressman who will appreciate and support law enforcement officers."

Just last week, Scott Garrett blocked "No Fly, No Buy" legislation that would prevent suspects on the FBI's no-fly list from purchasing firearms. Garrett has opposed this legislation a total of 12 times in the last year. Garrett also twice voted against the Zadroga Act, the 9/11 first responders health care bill named after North Arlington-native James Zadroga. Additionally, Garrett voted twelve times against Community Oriented Policing Service (COPS) grants that help towns place more officers on their streets.

Gottheimer announced his Five-Point Plan to Fight Lone Wolf Terrorists:

Prevent suspected terrorists on FBI watch lists, including the No-Fly List, from purchasing weapons like the AR-15 used to kill forty-nine innocent people in Orlando.
Fight for all resources at our District's disposal including already-allocated federal grants for regional counterterrorism taskforces, the COPS program, & DHS training and resource to combat lone wolf terrorists.
Redouble our efforts to shut down sites on the Internet that have become centers of terrorist recruitment, training, and anti-American activity and expand work with companies like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to stomp out propaganda channels and monitor terrorist communications.
Provide local law enforcement, those who know their communities best, with resources for training and coordination so they can play an even greater role in preventing and combating lone wolf terrorists.
Stand with our service members who are fighting terror overseas by supporting veterans when they return home with job training, support for prosthetics, and PTSD programs.

The New Jersey State PBA is the fourth professional association affected by the 9/11 attacks to endorse Josh Gottheimer. Earlier this year, the American Pilot's Association, the United Pilots, and the Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association also endorsed Gottheimer's candidacy.

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