Rep. Carson Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Global White Supremacist Threats

Press Release

Washington, DC -- Congressman André Carson (D-IN) has introduced legislation that will help uncover threats to our national security from white supremacist groups in America and around the globe. Carson is a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) and chairs the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence and Counterproliferation (C3).

H.R. 4038 addresses intelligence gaps and sharpens America's focus on transnational white supremacist extremist threats. Specifically, this bill will improve federal intelligence agencies' ability to prioritize white supremacist extremist threats, including ties to international groups. It mandates that the National Counterterrorism Center -- alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security -- explores and analyzes more thoroughly the ideology and objectives driving white supremacist groups with transnational connections, including their leadership and operational structure. This bill builds on previous work done by a number of congressional committees, including HPSCI's Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) over the past several years.

"Extremist white supremacist groups are one of the biggest threats to our security here in America and around the globe," said Congressman Carson. "This dangerous ideology has inspired countless acts of terrorism, yet our intelligence community isn't doing enough to prevent this growing crisis. As the Chairman of the Counterterrorism Subcommittee and a former law enforcement officer, I have been sounding the alarm about white supremacist threats for many years. Through this legislation, we can finally take the necessary steps to adequately study this growing global movement, and create a better plan to stop it. I am honored to have support in this effort from congressional colleagues, including House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, and esteemed civil rights organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League. I will continue working with all stakeholders to get this bill passed and make our world a safer place."

"White supremacy and the terrorism inspired by that bigotry have increasingly emerged as one of the greatest risks to our country, fueling a frightening increase in hate crimes against Black, Brown, and Indigenous individuals, the Jewish community, and more," said Chairman Adam Schiff. "Policy makers need much better data and analysis on the transnational nature of white supremacist extremist threats and how foreign white supremacy groups may be influencing, funding, or otherwise supporting violent actions at home. We cannot fully address these threats without a thorough, comprehensive, and extensive understanding of the risks, which is why I am pleased to support Congressman Carson's legislation and efforts to keep America safe from the scourge of white supremacy."

"We cannot adequately counter the white supremacist threat until we understand it better," said Jonathan Greenblatt of ADL (Anti-Defamation League). "This critical review of the threat will help better prepare the government with better information to address the threat. That Representative Carson would include civil liberties oversight and public reporting is indicative of a careful process where civil liberties and transparency are seen as supportive of -- rather than barriers to -- national security. I thank Rep. Carson for his leadership and I hope the House will consider this bill soon."

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