Gottheimer takes on domestic extremism and terror at House Homeland Security Committee hearing in New Jersey
Gottheimer to Introduce FASTER Act to Combat Domestic Terrorism and Extremism
NEW JERSEY — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) Monday helped host the House Committee on Homeland Security’s congressional field hearing on countering violent extremism, terrorism, and antisemitic threats in New Jersey.
Gottheimer questioned expert witnesses on how to combat the troubling rise in antisemitism, domestic extremism, and terror in New Jersey and nationwide.
Gottheimer also announced the introduction of the bipartisan FASTER Act — the Freezing Assets of Suspected Terrorists and Enemy Recruits Act — along with Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), to help law enforcement freeze the assets of ISIS-inspired, lone-wolf terrorists or other domestic extremists that are arrested on U.S. soil.
“We simply cannot run the risk of funds being used by an ISIS-inspired terrorist or other extremist to carry out another attack by friends, family, or unknown accomplices operating in a small cell,” Gottheimer said.
“Over the last years, we’ve witnessed an alarming spike in activity from domestic extremist groups threatening our communities with violence and hate — in person, online, and deep in our communities,” said Gottheimer, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee. “Unfortunately, the extreme actions and radical ideas of domestic extremist groups like the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys go beyond January 6th. These domestic terrorists have seeped into our communities — putting our families in danger, pitting our neighbors against one another, further dividing our country. We must combat violent extremism, global and domestic terrorism, antisemitic threats, and all forms of hate wherever it exists and ensure our communities and law enforcement have the resources they need to stay safe and secure.”
Today, the trial began of Oath Keepers’ leader Stewart Rhodes and several of his associates for seditious conspiracy for their role in attempting to overthrow the government on January 6th. The Oath Keepers not only attacked the Capitol, but are also Holocaust deniers. Rioters on January 6th were seen wearing antisemitic imagery.
Expert witnesses Monday included New Jersey’s Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Director Laurie Doran, Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Regional Director for New York and New Jersey Scott Richman, Rutgers Hillel Interim Executive Director Rabbi Esther Reed, Southern Poverty Law Center Intelligence Project Director Susan Corke, Bard College Center for the Study of Hate Director Kenneth Stern, and American Jewish Committee U.S. Director for Combating Antisemitism Holly Huffnagle.
Gottheimer was joined by Committee Vice Chair Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Rep. Jim Langevin (RI-2), Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), Rep. Al Green (TX-9), and Rep. Tom Malinowski (NJ-9).
Gottheimer is combatting domestic extremism, terror, and antisemitism by:
- Introducing the bipartisan FASTER Act to combat domestic terrorism and extremism: Gottheimer is introducing the Freezing Assets of Suspected Terrorists and Enemy Recruits Act to, state-of-the-art National Homegrown Terrorism Incident Clearinghouse for all levels of law enforcement to collect and share information on incidents of ISIS inspired, homegrown, lone wolf terrorism and violent domestic extremism.
- Clawing back federal Nonprofit Security Grants: Since taking office, Gottheimer has worked to keep North Jersey’s houses of worship, synagogues, temples, religious schools, and community organizations safe. He has helped these organizations claw back more than $8 million in nonprofit security grants to North Jersey while in office — the most out of any district in New Jersey.
- Passing the bipartisan Darren Drake Act: Gottheimer’s bipartisan Darren Drake Act passed the House, and Gottheimer is now pushing for the legislation to be introduced and passed in the Senate, to get it fully across the finish line. The bill will help stop ISIS-inspired and Lone Wolf Terrorists from using trucks and other vehicles as weapons of terror. The legislation is named in memory of New Milford resident Darren Drake, a victim of the October 2017 New York City West Side Highway terrorist truck attack.
- Supporting law enforcement: Gottheimer recently introduced the bipartisan, bicameral legislation, the Invest to Protect Act, to make real progress for public safety by investing in good policing to protect our families and officers. The legislation recently passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support, and will ensure that local police departments across our country have what they need to recruit and retain the finest officers, to provide necessary training, and to invest in providing mental health resources for our officers.
- Clawing back our federal tax dollars to support North Jersey’s first responders: Gottheimer, in his most recent reporting, announced that the Fifth District clawed back 357% more federal tax dollars back from Washington and the Moocher States since he took office. This includes more than $3.5 million of surplus federal equipment and resources for local law enforcement in 2020 and more than $2.7 million in federal investment since taking office to help hire law enforcement and help our police officers better protect our communities and themselves.
