Senate Passes Hassan, Lee Bipartisan Counterterrorism Bill

WASHINGTON – The Senate passed bipartisan legislation led by Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), a member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, and Mike Lee (R-UT) that will help strengthen counterterrorism efforts by requiring federal agencies to report to Congress after a terrorist attack with information about exactly what happened and recommendations to prevent future attacks.

“When a terrorist attack occurs, the federal government has a responsibility to understand what led to the attack, how it happened, and what can be done to prevent future attacks like it,” Senator Hassan said. “Our bipartisan bill ensures that the administration puts together a comprehensive analysis with these critical details and delivers it to Congress so that we can continue to work together to protect Americans and keep our country safe, secure, and free. I am pleased that the Senate came together on a bipartisan basis to move this bill forward, and I hope that the House will do the same.”

“The REPORT Act will provide an important tool for conducting congressional oversight into incidents of terrorism, and will help lawmakers better address homeland security needs. I look forward to seeing this bill move through the House of Representatives and reaching the President’s desk to become law,” said Senator Lee. 

The bipartisan Reporting Efficiently to Proper Officials in Response to Terrorism (REPORT) Act requires the Department of Homeland Security, the Justice Department, the FBI, and/or the National Counterterrorism Center to work together to submit a report to Congress after a foreign or domestic terrorist attack, which must include an explanation of what happened, any gaps in national security, and recommendations for additional measures to improve homeland security and prevent future terrorist attacks.

As a member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Senator Hassan has prioritized protecting national security and keeping Granite Staters and all Americans safe. Earlier this year, Senators Hassan and Ron Johnson (R-WI) introduced bipartisan legislation to help bolster the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) visa security screening process, which helps prevent terrorists and other national security threats from entering the United States. Senator Hassan also participated in the first-ever domestic terrorism hearing in the Senate Homeland Security Committee, where she questioned expert witnesses about how to better prevent domestic terrorist attacks and prosecute domestic terrorists.

Senator Hassan has also successfully worked to expand a grant program to help houses of worship and nonprofits in New Hampshire and across the country protect against terrorist attacks. President Trump signed into law bipartisan legislation cosponsored by Senator Hassan to codify in law that grant funding for houses of worship and nonprofit organizations must be available for small states like New Hampshire, not just major metropolitan areas, and Senator Hassan successfully worked to quadruple funding for the program. Earlier this year, Senator Hassan announced that New Hampshire nonprofits, including houses of worship, will also receive $635,085 under the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, an increase from the $150,000 New Hampshire received last year.

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