Two anti-terrorism bills from Donovan advance to U.S. Senate

The U.S. House of Representatives on June 19 unanimously passed two homeland security bills sponsored by U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-NY) to help the nation prevent and respond to terrorist attacks.

“Terrorists are evolving their methods and shifting their targets,” said Rep. Donovan, chairman of the U.S. House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications. “Enhancing our preparedness efforts and giving our first responders the tools needed to protect our communities is more important than ever.”

The House approved the Shielding Public Spaces from Vehicular Terrorism Act, H.R. 4627, which Rep. Donovan introduced last December, and the Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act, H.R. 4991, a proposal he introduced on Feb. 8. Both bills now advance to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

“In this time of increased threats, it is necessary to assess vulnerabilities, implement the most effective safeguards, and support our people on the frontline,” Rep. Donovan said. “My bills that passed tonight support these very efforts, and I call on the Senate to swiftly take them up.”

Both bills, according to a summary provided by the lawmaker’s office, would authorize resources to address evolving terror threats, as well as a federal laboratory that would develop technologies for use by first responders and law enforcement agents.

Specifically, H.R. 4627 would require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate to research and develop new tools and effective safeguards to combat emerging terrorist threats, including vehicular attacks. The bill also would ensure first responders have access to Homeland Security Grant Program resources to address security vulnerabilities at bus stops, bike paths, and other public spaces, according to the summary.

H.R. 4991 would authorize the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory in New York City, which researches, develops and evaluates new technologies that can be utilized to prevent, prepare for, and respond to terror attacks and emergency situations by first responders. The laboratory conducts research and development on radiological and nuclear response and recovery.

Three other homeland security bills offered by Rep. Donovan also have passed the House during this session of Congress: the Transit Security Grant Program Flexibility Act (H.R. 549); the Cyber Preparedness Act of 2017 (H.R. 584); and the Securing the Cities Act of 2017 (H.R. 655).