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RELEASE: Fleischmann's Bill to Combat Terrorism Passes House

April 27, 2016

Fleischmann’s Bill H.R. 4820, the Combating Terrorist Recruitment
Act of 2016 Passes the House

Washington, D.C.— On Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Congressman Chuck Fleischmann’s bill H.R. 4820, the Combating Terrorist Recruitment Act of 2016, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 322-79. Fleischmann’s legislation requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to utilize testimonials from former extremists and defectors to counter-message propaganda used in recruitment efforts of terrorist groups like ISIS.

“Last July in Chattanooga, TN, the town I live in and proudly represent, experienced an attack that tragically killed four Marines and one sailor, while wounding several others. I will never forget that day and neither will Chattanooga,” said Fleischmann. “That attack and others like it in San Bernardino, Paris and Brussels prove we must use every tool in the toolbox to combat extremism.”

H.R. 4820 implements a key recommendation made by the Homeland Security Committee’s bipartisan task force specifically designed to counter Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel.

More than 250 Americans have traveled or attempted to travel to fight with jihadists in Syria and Iraq, and the FBI says there are open counterterrorism investigations in all 50 States, mostly ISIS-related. Many of these individuals were pulled in by terrorist propaganda.

“This is a common-sense measure to help destroy terrorist recruitment methods, by using the testimony of those who have seen the evil of these groups firsthand,” said Fleischmann. “I am glad that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle joined me today to help combat extremism both at home and abroad.”

The Department of State and many ally nations, including France and Germany, already effectively use the testimonials of former jihadists to help deter radicalization.