Bipartisan Group Works to Bring Accountability to Counter-Terror Task Force

Statement

U.S. Congressmen Todd Young (R-IN), John Delaney (D-MD), and Joe Heck (R-NV) are working to place reporting requirements on President Obama's Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Task Force through the Countering Violent Extremism Task Force Oversight Act (H.R. 5911).

The Washington Post described the CVE Task Force as "the centerpiece of the administration's revised plan" to counter radicalization. Yet, the CVE Task Force currently lacks any oversight mechanism that would allow stakeholders to assess ongoing efforts to combat violent extremism in the United States.

"The ability of foreign terrorist organizations to radicalize citizens within our national borders is a security weakness we must address. No matter your political affiliation, we all have a vested interest in making certain this counter-terror task force has more to it than just a hard-hitting title. Oversight is one of our key responsibilities as members of Congress, and even more vital, is our responsibility to keep the people who sent us here safe in the communities where they live, raise families, and work. This legislation allows us to assess whether current efforts to counter violent extremism are in fact working, or, if a different approach is needed to prevent future attacks." --Congressman Todd Young (R-IN)

"We have seen the threat that violent extremism and terrorism poses and we have a responsibility to work together, Republicans and Democrats, Congress and the Administration to do everything we can to keep our communities safe. A smart anti-terrorism plan also includes oversight and analyzing what's working and what's not working, top to bottom; this bill is a bipartisan effort to do just that and I'm very pleased to work with Congressman Young and Congressman Heck on this legislation." --Congressman John Delaney (D-MD)

"Countering violent extremism here at home is critically-important to keeping Americans safe. While I commend the formation of the Countering Violent Extremism Task Force, we must work to ensure its efforts are working and that we are making strategic adjustments to keep pace with the ever-evolving techniques used by those who seek to radicalize others, whether that be through social media or other propaganda mechanisms. Providing Congress with this key oversight tool will reassure Americans that we are using every possible resource to protect them from violent extremists who wish to attack our communities. I commend my colleagues Todd Young and John Delaney for their leadership on this important issue and look forward to working with them to enact this legislation." --Congressman Joe Heck (R-NV)

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