On the recordMay 18, 2016
Among the amendments in this en bloc package is one that I have authored to establish a global engagement center. I thank my cosponsors of this amendment, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Langevin, the chair and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats & Capabilities. I also thank Chairman Royce, who has worked with us. Included in this amendment are reforms of the Broadcasting Board of Governors that he and his ranking member have worked on for some time. Mr. Chair, it has been a source of great frustration for me that our government has seemed to be so inept in the battle of ideas against the terrorists. I first introduced a bill on this topic in 2005. Today there is a lot of talk not only of the so-called physical caliphate that ISIS claims, but of the virtual caliphate. Unless and until we can be more effective at engaging in the battle of ideas, we will not succeed in defeating terrorism. It is not just the terrorists we have to worry about. We have seen the Russians lie and use deception for military gain. We have seen similar sorts of tactics by the Chinese in their building these islands out in the South China Sea and elsewhere around the world. This amendment requires the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and others--the executive branch--to get their act together, coordinate, and more effectively engage in the battle of ideas. I hope it helps.…
