Dan Donovan: “I thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), my friend, who is on the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness…”

“I thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne), my friend, who is on the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications with me, a subcommittee of Chairman McCaul's Committee on Homeland Security. I rise in support of H.R. 5859, the Community Counterterrorism Preparedness Act. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill that was introduced by the leadership of Chairman McCaul. Mr. Speaker, we recently commemorated the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. In the 15 years since that tragedy, first responders have taken steps--often with the help of Federal homeland security grant funding--to enhance their ability to prevent, prepare for, and respond to terrorist attacks. Much progress has been made in that time. But the terrorist threat is evolving. As Chairman McCaul noted, terrorists have transitioned from the 9/11-type, large-scale attacks to smaller attacks that are either directed or inspired by overseas terrorist organizations. We must ensure that our first responders are prepared to counter changing terrorist tactics, and that is why this bill is so important. H.R. 5859 will provide first responders in major metropolitan areas across our great Nation with funding to address the evolving terror threats facing our homeland, a need reinforced by this weekend's attacks in New York City and New Jersey. On Saturday morning at 8:30 at a Marine Corps race honoring our veterans, a bomb exploded.…”