Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Act of 2018

Floor Speech

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Mr. LATTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, H.R. 4227, the Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Act.

This bipartisan legislation requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to assess the activities the Department is undertaking to combat the threat of vehicular terrorism and submit a strategy to Congress on its findings and recommendations.

Over the past several years, I have been alarmed with the increased frequency that terrorists in Europe and around the world have used vehicles--oftentimes, rental vans or trucks--to commit heinous acts of violence. From Paris to Barcelona and Jerusalem to London, at least 138 people have been killed and countless others injured because of these attacks.

With the October attack in New York City showing that these extremist groups will not hesitate to carry out the same attack on American soil, it is critical that the Department of Homeland Security is doing their due diligence regarding this threat.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation would specifically require DHS to assess the activities the Department is undertaking to support emergency response providers and the private sector to prevent, mitigate, and respond to the threat of vehicular terrorism.

Within 6 months of the bill's enactment, the Department must complete this assessment and submit to Congress a strategy that includes an examination of the current threat of vehicular terrorism, methods to improve information-sharing activities with emergency first responders and the private sector, and training activities the Department can undertake to prevent and prepare to respond to these attacks. The Secretary must also include any additional activities that DHS recommends to address the threat of vehicular terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman McCaul, Ranking Member Thompson, Representative Donovan, and the entire House Homeland Security Committee for their work in advancing this bill to the House floor.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join with me in taking the next step to addressing this dangerous threat by passing H.R. 4227.

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