Underwood Addresses Growing Threats of Domestic Terrorism, Advocates for Resources for Local Communities
WASHINGTON—Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Vice Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security, addressed the growing threat of domestic terrorism in a Homeland Security hearing today. So far this year, the FBI has reported nearly 100 domestic terrorism arrests— many involving some form of white supremacy.
Underwood also advocated for increased funding for suburban and rural communities like those the 14th District. In a recent briefing by the Department of Homeland Security's Protective Service Advisors (PSA), who provide valuable assistance to critical infrastructure and community organizations in the region, Underwood learned that PSAs are significantly underutilized in the 14th Congressional District. This year, Region V PSAs have only conducted 13 assessments for communities located outside the Chicago Urban Area Security Initiative designated area. In her remarks, Underwood emphasized the need for increased outreach and resources to suburban and rural communities, including law enforcement agencies, schools, houses of worship, and others, to prevent and combat violent extremism and domestic terrorism.
"Domestic terrorism is a threat to the security of our country, and it is a growing threat to our communities in the 14th District. We all want our schools, our churches, and our families and neighbors to be safe, and in order to do that we must address this pervasive threat. As Congress works to allocate resources to the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies, rural and suburban communities like mine must receive their fair share and are not be left vulnerable as funding goes to other cities," said Underwood.
Underwood's full remarks can be found here.
As Vice Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security, Underwood is committed to keeping Americans safe and strengthening our national security. In July, Underwood introduced the Counter Terrorist Network Act to strengthen U.S. border security and improve information sharing networks between intelligence agencies. The legislation would authorize the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner to collaborate with appropriate federal, state, local, tribal, and international entities to identify and dismantle networks that pose terrorist or criminal threats to the U.S. Additionally, Underwood has worked to address the spread of online extremism and misinformation. In June, Underwood questioned top officials from Facebook and Instagram on their commitment to creating stronger policies to stop the spread of online extremism.
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