On the recordApril 26, 2016
I thank the gentleman from Tennessee for offering this legislation. Mr. Speaker, America continues to witness the largest convergence of radical Islamic threats in the history of our country. More than any threat before, ISIS demonstrated an ability to radicalize individuals throughout the world by utilizing the Internet. However, these individuals are met with the cold, hard reality that ISIS does not offer luxury, happiness, or peacefulness. On the contrary, these individuals are thrust onto the battlefield with little or no training and little or no regard for their lives. Some, when faced with the truth, try to turn back. Among those who recognize ISIS for the barbaric, destructive force that it is, some have actually dared to speak out against them, using their experience to dissuade others from risking their lives in order to wage war on innocent people. One of these individuals was mentioned by my colleague, Chairman Mike McCaul, and that individual grew up across the river from here in Alexandria, Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the efforts of our law enforcement and intelligence officials by supporting this bill. The Combating Terrorist Recruitment Act of 2016, of which I am a cosponsor, requires a dissemination of testimonials from ISIS defectors to help stop the radicalization of at-risk individuals. This bill comes from the bipartisan Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel, of which I served as a Republican lead.…
