Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, in 2015, I was selected to chair the Congressional Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel. After months of briefings, site visits, and hearings, it became clear that the Department of Homeland Security had to improve internal and external coordination and intelligence sharing to address a growing threat of foreign fighter travel, as well as other counterterrorism efforts. As a result, I introduced legislation to authorize and enhance the Department of Homeland Security Counterterrorism Advisory Board. Established in 2010, the CTAB brings senior officials across the spectrum in the Department to share information and coordinate counterterrorism activities. The CTAB has improved the Department's ability to respond to terrorism threats and harmonize counterterrorism programs and activities across DHS components. Given that the CTAB has never been authorized in law, the Board could be dismantled at any time, and the counterterrorism gains achieved could be lost. The bill ensures that the CTAB will be formally established in law. The bill also ensures the CTAB includes robust participation from DHS-component agencies in order to ensure all homeland security resources are utilized and the one DHS vision is realized.…”