Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5859, the ``Community Counterterrorism Preparedness Act,'' for two reasons. First, the bill will save lives. Second, the legislation is necessary to support the vital work of first responders in preparing for and responding to crises that may range from terrorist incidents to active shooter events. As a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee, I understand how critical it is for our first responders to be prepared and well trained to manage a wide range of potential threats both conventional and unconventional. September is National Preparedness Month, which serves as a reminder that we all must take action to prepare, now and throughout the year, for the types of emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, and also where we visit. The recent events in New York, New Jersey, and Minnesota highlight the importance of H.R. 5859, which amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the major Metropolitan Area Counterterrorism Training and Exercise Grant Program. The legislation directs components of the Department of Homeland Security to conduct training programs for emergency response providers to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the most likely terrorist attack scenarios, including active shooters.…”