We beg to differ with Rep. King's assumption that American Muslims do not cooperate with law enforcement, a claim that simply does not square with the facts.

We are going to focus on a target which threatens the security of this Nation.

I thank the Ranking Member. Despite some of the consternation, this meeting actually went a lot easier than it could have.

It is unfortunate, in my view, that some have attempted to mischaracterize this hearing as an attack on American Muslims.

Mr. King has not refuted his unfounded claim that over 80 percent of Muslim mosques are radicalized.

I want to commend the FBI and Director Mueller for their exceptional work in intercepting would-be terrorists before their attacks.

Ascribing evil acts of a few individuals to an entire community is wrong.

We cannot afford to be silent. I am reminded of the song by Simon and Garfunkel, 'The Boxer,' which includes the lyric: 'Man hears what he wants to hear, but disregards the rest.'

Violent action, on the other hand, whether in the name of ideology or otherwise, deserves the full-throated condemnation of the Government and its people.

The overwhelming majority of Muslim Americans are outstanding Americans... but there are realities we can't ignore.

The fact is, if it was so important, you had 4 years on this committee. Not once was a hearing held into any of those issues.

This issue of Islamic radicalization in U.S. prisons is not new.

This threat is real, and it is serious.

I also owe it to all the friends, neighbors, and constituents I lost on September 11. I will not back down.

To back down would be a craven surrender to political correctness and an abdication of what I believe to be the main responsibility of this committee--to protect America from a terrorist attack.

I understand where you are coming from, and I understand your contribution to this committee.

I believe a 'Team B' would provide a tremendous service to both the agencies and the Congress in making recommendations on how we can disrupt domestic radicalization.

People don't come to this country by and large to create havoc; they come here because they thirst for freedom.

I authored legislation creating the National Commission on Terrorism, also known as the Bremer Commission.

In this Nation, we have not only a Christian-Judeo tradition, we have a Christian-Judeo-Islamic tradition in this Nation.

Last week during a hearing before my subcommittee, Attorney General Eric Holder recognized CAIR's 'troubled history' and FBI Director Robert Mueller has suspended all non-investigative cooperation with CAIR.

Chairman King's singling out a group of Americans based on their faith for close Government scrutiny is divisive and wrong.

We are trying to conduct intelligent hearings. We are trying to see the extent of radicalization in the American Muslim community.

Muslims are an enemy living amongst us

I said at one time there are too many mosques that don't cooperate with law enforcement.