The U.S. House of Representatives recently advanced the Counterterrorism Advisory Board Act, which aims to coordinate and integrate intelligence activities and policy related to counterterrorism within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The bill was authored by Rep. John Katko (R-NY).
“It is critical that we continue our efforts in Congress to combat the threat of ISIS,” Katko said. “With ongoing counterterrorism investigations in all 50 states, we must act to strengthen the programs that address these threats. Today’s legislation does just that, by ensuring that the Department of Homeland Security is acting efficiently and collaboratively to respond to the threat of global terrorism.”
The bill includes provisions to codify the counterterrorism advisory board (CTAB) within DHS and ensure that its charter keeps pace with evolving terrorist threats.
Specifics of the legislation include requiring the secretary of homeland security to appoint a coordinator for counterterrorism to oversee CTAB’s activities, requiring CTAB to advise the DHS secretary on the issuance of terrorism alters, and ensuring that Congress has continued oversight of CTAB’s actions.
Katko’s counterterrorism bill was one of 17 different pieces of national security-related legislation to advance the House so far this session.
Katko is a representative of New York’s 24th Congressional District.