Letter to the Hon. Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security - Rep. Correa Again Calls For Hearings On White Supremacist Terrorism

Letter

Dear Chairman McCaul:

I write regarding the tragedy that transpired this past weekend at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is yet another white supremacist attack on our communities. Over a year ago, after Charlottesville, I asked that a hearing be held on white supremacist terrorism in the United States. Once again, I ask that you hold a full Homeland Committee hearing to address and do all we can to prevent future attacks by white supremacists.

As you know, a man opened fire at people attending a worship service at a local synagogue, killing 11 people and wounding six others, including four police officers. During the shooting rampage, he yelled out "all Jews must die." Those were the last words heard by the innocent lives claimed this weekend.

Last year, the Federal Bureau of Investigations indicated that the threat of white nationalist violence in the United States is at least as big of a threat as that posed by the Islamic State (ISIS) and similar groups. According to The Hill, government data suggests that attacks by white supremacists are double the number of those carried out by radical Islamist groups.

As a committee, we have not had a single hearing on white supremacist terrorism. It is our committee's responsibility to ensure that we do all we can to protect our citizens. Holding a committee hearing, to address the rise of white supremacist terrorism in the United States, and what we can do to prevent such heinous attacks from happening in the future, is imperative for our committee.

Respectfully,

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