Nashville Standard

The House Committee on Homeland Security has moved forward with a legislative package aimed at fortifying national security against various threats, including terrorism, border concerns, and foreign influence, notably from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Committee Chairman Mark E. Green, MD, underscored the purpose of these bills, saying, "I am proud of this Committee’s work to advance legislation that protects Americans from growing threats to our homeland and our way of life."

The legislation counters perceived threats, including those from the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of border issues. "Committee Republicans advanced bills from Reps. Greene and Higgins to demand transparency on the number of Special Interest Aliens encountered at our borders and enhance efforts to detect deadly drugs like fentanyl," Green stated.

On counterterrorism, the committee supported enhancing the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) mission. "Members voted unanimously to advance legislation from Reps. Gimenez and Luttrell to enhance the safety and security of Americans," added Chairman Green.

Among the proposed legislation, Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee Chairman August Pfluger emphasized the threat from the Confucius Institutes. "This legislation would prohibit DHS from funding American universities that host a Confucius Institute," Pfluger commented, citing national security concerns.

Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee Chairman Carlos Gimenez introduced H.R. 1608 in response to a vehicular attack on New Year’s Day in New Orleans. "This was a calculated and ideologically motivated assault," he stated, emphasizing the need for the DHS Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act.

Representative Clay Higgins introduced H.R. 1569 to improve the screening and interception of illegal drugs at borders, aiming particularly at fentanyl. "The pilot program created under this bill would further empower CBP," Higgins remarked.

Additional bills discussed include H.R. 275 by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, addressing the reporting of special interest aliens. Greene asserted, "We must know how many special interest aliens are crossing our borders."

Representative Morgan Luttrell’s H.R. 1327 addresses terrorism threats from Syria, with Luttrell stating, "We simply cannot sit back and wait for another attack on the homeland."

The legislative package also includes bills targeting cybersecurity, support for law enforcement against transnational repression, and DHS initiatives for various safety and security enhancements.

The committee's actions represent a concerted effort to bolster national security in the face of diverse threats, reflecting bipartisan intentions to safeguard American interests on multiple fronts, as emphasized by Representative Andy Ogles and others during the discussions.