King Hails Passage of Bombing Prevention Bill

Press Release

Today, U.S. Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced that H.R. 4749, The National Bombing Prevention Act of 2008 passed the House today.

The bill establishes an Office of Bombing Prevention within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and directs the President to develop and implement a national strategy to prevent and prepare for terrorist explosive attacks, including the use of improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, within the United States.

"We all know that terrorists want nothing more than to carry out another attack on American soil," King said. "IED attacks are one of the cheapest, easiest, and most popular tactics used by al Qaeda in Iraq and Afghanistan and we've seen them used in London, Madrid and Mumbai. This bill gives DHS the resources it needs to mediate the threat of home-made bombs being used in one of our nation's cities."

H.R. 4749 also directs DHS to work with state, local and tribal governments, assessing the capabilities of bomb squads across the country, promoting information sharing and developing new technology to use in the fight against terrorist explosive attacks.

"This legislation shows what can happen with Congress takes an active role, working with the Department to ensure the security of this country," King said. "I look forward to seeing this bill signed into law."

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