Hassan, Rubio Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Counterterrorism Coordination Efforts at Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON - Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today reintroduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen counterterrorism coordination efforts at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bipartisan legislation will authorize the Counterterrorism Advisory Board (CTAB), which brings together intelligence, operational, and policy-making elements from across DHS to devise joint strategies to deter and disrupt potential terrorist attacks.   

“This bipartisan bill will help to ensure that all parts of the Department of Homeland Security are coordinating effectively to combat terrorist threats,” Senator Hassan said. “The first duty of government is to protect the homeland and keep our citizens safe, and I will continue working with Senator Rubio to pass this commonsense legislation.”

“The Counterterrorism Advisory Board (CTAB) plays a critical role in the Department of Homeland Security’s work to prevent terrorist attacks by identifying and reducing security threats and vulnerabilities,” Senator Rubio said. “I am proud to join Senator Hassan in reintroducing this bipartisan bill to ensure that the CTAB facilitates a cohesive operational strategy so that DHS components and their partners are best enabled to detect, deter, and disrupt terrorist operations”

The Counterterrorism Advisory Board (CTAB) was established in 2010 after the failed “underwear bomber” attack on a Northwest Airlines flight in 2009 revealed a need for better coordination and ongoing situational awareness for senior leadership.

Since its creation, CTAB has met to make recommendations about whether to issue a National Threat Alert System alert, and has aided in the response to aviation threats, border threats, homegrown violent extremists, and cyber threats. The Senators’ Counterterrorism Advisory Board (CTAB) Authorization Act of 2019 codifies the board for two years and ensures that DHS will continue to succeed in its counterterrorism mission.

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