The House of Representatives approved homeland security bills on Tuesday that were introduced by U.S. Reps. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Martha McSally (R-AZ) and John Katko (R-NY).
Fleischmann’s Combating Terrorist Recruitment Act, H.R. 4820, would require the Department of Homeland Security to use testimonials from former extremists to counter propaganda being used by terrorist groups like ISIS for recruitment.
“This is a common-sense measure to help destroy terrorist recruitment methods by using the testimony of those who have seen the evil of these groups firsthand,” Fleischmann said. “I am glad that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle joined me today to help combat extremism both at home and abroad.”
U.S. Reps. Will Hurd (R-TX) and Kathleen Rice (D-NY) wrote a joint op-ed in support of the measure stating that individuals are being “brainwashed” by online terror propaganda that encourages them to carry out attacks.
“The bill requires the secretary of Homeland Security to use the testimonials of former extremists and defectors as part of ongoing efforts to stop terrorist recruitment,” Hurd and Rice wrote. “These are individuals who have seen the brutality of terrorist groups firsthand — and have rejected it. Such testimonials are one of the most effective tools in countering the propaganda of violent extremist groups, and can persuade potential recruits to turn away from terror.”
The House also approved bill introduced by McSally, the Promoting Resilience and Efficiency in Preparing for Attacks and Responding to Emergencies (PREPARE) Act, H.R. 3583. The bill would improve coordination of disaster preparedness programs.
“This bipartisan bill will make our country safer,” McSally said. “It enhances tools for first responders, improves efficiency at FEMA, helps address threats posed by chemical and biological attacks, and ensures our nation’s homeland security agents can communicate effectively. I came to Congress to advance commonsense solutions like this one, and I will continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate to get it signed into law.”
Additionally, the House approved the Securing Aviation from Foreign Entry Ports and Guarding Airports Through Enhanced Security Act, H.R. 4698, offered by Katko, which would require airport security assessments and security coordination enhancement plans.
“This bipartisan legislation will bolster security at international airports with direct flights to the U.S.,” Katko said. “Following the recent attacks in Brussels, this measure will help ensure that aviation remains safe.”
When the House Homeland Security Committee approved the bill in March, Katko said he had put forth the security reforms after looking at “insider threats” at airports in the U.S. and abroad.
“Still, we must redouble our efforts in Congress to keep our country safe in this heightened terrorist threat environment,” Katko said. “(On March 23), the House Homeland Security Committee passed important, bipartisan legislation that I introduced to help keep our country safe by improving security at foreign airports with direct flights to the United States. This bill will help ensure that individuals traveling from these airports are held to the same scrutiny as individuals within our country.”
The bill would give TSA authority to fill security gaps at airports that aren’t up to U.S. standards, and to donate screening and other technology equipment to foreign airports with direct flights into the United States.