Bob Latta: “I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 4227, the…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 4227, the Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Act. This bipartisan legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to assess the activities the Department is undertaking to combat the threat of vehicular terrorism and submit a strategy to Congress on its findings and recommendations. Over the past several years, I have been alarmed with the increased frequency that terrorists in Europe and around the world have used vehicles--oftentimes, rental vans or trucks--to commit heinous acts of violence. From Paris to Barcelona and Jerusalem to London, at least 138 people have been killed and countless others injured because of these attacks. With the October attack in New York City showing that these extremist groups will not hesitate to carry out the same attack on American soil, it is critical that the Department of Homeland Security is doing their due diligence regarding this threat. Mr. Speaker, this legislation would specifically require DHS to assess the activities the Department is undertaking to support emergency response providers and the private sector to prevent, mitigate, and respond to the threat of vehicular terrorism.…”