Katko legislation included in broader counterterrorism bill package

Legislation authored by U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) was included in a comprehensive bill package on Friday aimed at combating domestic terrorism in the wake of the Orlando nightclub shooting.

The Countering Terrorist Radicalization Act, H.R. 5471, will seek to streamline domestic counterterrorism efforts with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“Our nation has experienced a tragedy,” Katko said. “As we continue to mourn the victims of Sunday’s horrific terrorist attack in Orlando, it is critical that we take action to counter violent extremism and to strengthen our counterterrorism tools here at home. Keeping terrorists off our shores and preventing ISIS from radicalizing Americans requires smarter coordination in our counterterrorism efforts so that we can stop an attack before it happens.”

In his introduction of the bill, Katko said that authorities are currently investigating more than 800 ISIS-linked cases and have uncovered 89 different plots against the West — including 25 in the United States.

“Today’s legislation encapsulates several ideas that the House has worked on for months to improve counterterrorism efforts — including legislation that I authored to integrate intelligence, operations, and policy components so that our law enforcement and intelligence partners can coordinate actions more effectively and expeditiously,” Katko said. “It is time for the Senate to take action on this important, bipartisan package of bills so that these measures reach the President’s desk.”

Katko leads the House Homeland Security Committee’s bipartisan Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel.