Should Homeland Security Train Local Partners to Identify and Counter Violent Extremism? (H.R. 4401)

What is H.R. 4401?

(Updated January 31, 2017)

This bill would authorize the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide training in countering violent extremism to DHS, state, local, tribal, and territorial personnel at DHS’ national network of . The training is designed to improve the ability of trainees to counter violent extremism in the following ways:

• Identify and report suspicious activities;

• Increase awareness and more quickly identify terrorism threats, including the travel or attempted travel from the U.S. to join a foreign terrorist organization.
  

DHS would be required to notify Congress within 30 days of this bill’s enactment about the number of state, local, tribal, and territorial personnel that have security clearances sponsored by DHS. This notice would include information about the level of clearance held by the employee, the agency employing them, and whether they’re assigned to DHS fusion centers.

Within 150 days of this bill’s enactment, an assessment of DHS’ performance in supporting efforts to counter violent extremism with non-federal partners would be provided to relevant congressional committees. The assessment would include:

• A cataloging of departmental efforts to assist state, local, tribal, and territorial governments in countering violent extremism;

• A review of cooperative agreements between DHS and such governments related to countering violent extremism;

• An evaluation of DHS plans or potential opportunities to better support such governments.
  

No additional funds are authorized to carry out this legislation, so all activities must be completed using funds that were otherwise made available to DHS.

Argument in favor

The Dept. of Homeland Security has a responsibility to train its state, local, tribal, and territorial partner agencies to identify and counter violent extremism in their communities.

Argument opposed

Non-federal law enforcement personnel already receive ample training in recognizing and countering violent extremism, they don’t need DHS to tell them what they know.

Impact

State, local, tribal, and territorial personnel that would be trained at fusion centers; state and major urban area fusion centers; Congress; and DHS.

Cost of H.R. 4401

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) introduced this bill to ensure that law enforcement personnel at the community level receive access to DHS training in :

“Our local enforcement is crucial to our national security, and they are too often overlooked as a valuable asset in fighting against acts of terrorism. That’s why I introduced the ALERT Act, to provide training, improve coordination, and increase community awareness of the foreign fighter threat… As the threats against America by radical Islamists increases, fighting terrorism cannot be a singular effort, conducted by one element of our federal government; it requires the cooperation and coordination of multiple levels of all governments, and local community participation. My legislation will not, in itself, end the threat of terrorism against our nation, but it will add to the critical resources already in our communities.”

This legislation was by the House Homeland Security Committee on a voice vote, and currently has the support of 11 bipartisan — including five Democrats and six Republicans.

Of Note: In November 2015, the Daily Mail  that at least 65 people in the U.S. had been charged with conspiring to join the so-called Islamic State (aka ISIS or ISIL) in the preceding 18 months. Since then, there have been multiple  made on people  to travel from the U.S. to Iraq or Syria with the intention of joining ISIS.

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