Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Despite the danger posed by the recent rise in domestic terrorism--including the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol—every Republican member of the House Judiciary Committee present today voted against the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act (HR 350), which would greatly enhance the federal government’s efforts to combat domestic terrorism and keep communities across the country safe. According to a 2021 assessment from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, domestic violent extremists “pose an elevated threat to the Homeland.” House Republicans appear to have changed their minds on the need to combat white nationalism. The same legislation passed the House of Representatives by voice vote in 2020. 

“Republicans have once again showed their true colors when it comes to domestic terrorism,” said Chairman Nadler. “They simply cannot be trusted to keep our communities safe. Unlike the strawmen and conspiracy theories that Republicans use to scare the American people, the rise in domestic terrorism is real and continues to pose an alarming threat to houses of worship, educational institutions, and average, everyday Americans. Their plan to confront domestic terrorism appears to be focused singularly on demonizing the National School Board Association. Meanwhile, Democrats are taking the fight straight to the white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and violent extremists that are terrorizing minority institutions and destabilizing our communities. My Republican colleagues like to talk tough on crime, but when they were presented with a bipartisan crime bill today, they sided with extremists instead of the American people.”

The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act, which passed out of the committee by a 21 to 17 vote, would:

• Create three offices—one each within the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation—to monitor, investigate and prosecute cases of domestic terrorism. 
• Codify the Domestic Terrorism Executive Committee, which would coordinate with United States Attorneys and other public safety officials to promote information sharing and ensure an effective, responsive, and organized joint effort to combat domestic terrorism.
• Require DOJ, FBI, and DHS to provide training and resources to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in understanding, detecting, deterring, and investigating acts of domestic terrorism and white supremacy.

According to 2020 data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program, hate crime incidents motivated by race, ethnicity, or ancestry increased by more than 30 percent compared to 2019, comprising over 1,200 more such incidents in 2020 than 2019. The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act was introduced by Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY).