Issue Position: Standing Strong Against Terror, Standing by Our Veterans and First Responders

Issue Position

In New Jersey, we know all too well about the threat of homegrown, Lone-Wolf terror, and that we must always be vigilant at home and in the war on terror -- against ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Hamas, and other terrorist groups around the world. We need to make certain our cops, first responders, and military have the tools they need to protect our families and to prevent terrorists from following through on their threats, both foreign and domestic. There is no room for compromise against terror and Americans must present in a united front, coming together as Democrats and Republicans, for our national security. We owe that to all Americans and to the brave men and women, who have risked their lives to protect our freedoms.

In the aftermath of the tragic terror attack in New York City last October, where a rented pickup truck was used to kill eight people, including Darren Drake, a resident of New Milford, New Jersey, I was proud to work with Darren's father Jimmy to develop a plan to prevent future ISIS-inspired Lone-Wolf attacks. Named in memory of Darren, TheDarren Drake Combatting 21st Century Weapons of Terror Act is essential to help keep us safe against these new, emerging threats.

Last year, I also introduced the bipartisan Freezing Assets of Suspected Terrorists and Enemy Recruits (FASTER) Act to give law enforcement the tools that they need to combat domestic terrorism, especially Lone-Wolf attacks in our backyard. We must make sure that our law enforcement agencies have the training, information, and cutting-edge resources necessary to protect our communities.

I will always have the backs of the brave cops that keep our families safe across North Jersey. For my work in Congress and at home to support law enforcement, I was received a perfect rating on a recent scorecard from the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), which includes police from across our state and the New Jersey State PBA.

I'm also working to honor our commitment to our military, veterans, and first responders who put their lives on the line every day by ensuring that they have the best possible care, when they serve and after. I am committed to helping New Jersey veterans cut through the red tape and bureaucratic hurdles whether it relates to their benefits, health care, a VA home loan, or overdue medals. I'm proud that the very first measure of mine to become law was to help our veterans get jobs when they return home and makes it easier for these courageous men and women to get care in the District.

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