McCaul Leads Government Efforts to Counter Violent Extremism: Committee to Hold Hearing Examining if the Government is Doing Enough to Counter International & Domestic Terror

Press Release

As violent extremist groups eagerly recruit followers inside the United States, and as recent tragic events dot the globe and also hit right here at home, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul is steadfastly leading the charge to bolster U.S. efforts to counter violent extremism (CVE). Chairman McCaul announced today the House Homeland Security Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday, July 15 to investigate whether the Government is doing enough to counter international and domestic terrorism.

Last month, Chairman McCaul introduced a bill in Congress, the Countering Violent Extremism Act of 2015, H.R. 2899, which streamlines and prioritizes the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to counter violent extremism.

"As we've seen recently in France, Tunisia, Kuwait, and even right here at home in places like Garland, TX, and Charleston, SC, violent extremism comes in many forms," said Chairman McCaul. "Violent extremists show no mercy when executing their evil plots, or when luring in vulnerable recruits and brainwashing them."

"Violent extremism is sweeping our nation at broadband speed and we remain defenseless until this administration takes this threat more seriously," said Chairman McCaul. "Extremist groups have recruited Americans in all 50 states while our government has dedicated only a handful of officials to blunting their insidious propaganda. We cannot sit idly by and let violent extremists spread their evil ideology here in America."

Chairman McCaul's bill significantly elevates CVE as a key priority at the Department of Homeland Security, streamlines their Department's CVE efforts under an Assistant Secretary who reports directly to the Secretary, and provides resources out of existing funds.

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