The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“SECURING AMERICAN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AGAINST TERRORISM ACT OF 2019” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security was published in the in the Senate section section on pages S7226-S7227 on Dec. 19, 2019.
The Department was built out of more than 20 agencies in 2002. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lower taxes and boosting federal efficiency, argued the Department is burdened with "unneeded bureaucracy" which could be handled by other departments or standalone operations.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SECURING AMERICAN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AGAINST TERRORISM ACT OF 2019
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, as we all know, there have been increased incidents of violence and threats against some of our faith-based institutions over the past decade. The FBI has been able to monitor this and unfortunately tells us that these attacks are likely to continue. We need to do a better job of figuring out how to disrupt these attacks but also to harden these facilities.
When the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh was attacked, it was the worst anti-Semitic violence in the history of our country. Shortly after that, I went to Youngstown, OH, which is very near the Pittsburgh synagogue that was attacked. It was within the next week or two afterwards, and there were very raw feelings, as you can imagine. We talked about what was needed to provide better protection for houses of worship--our synagogues, our churches, our mosques--and we came up with an idea to provide for a grant program from the expertise of the Department of Homeland Security where they could provide best practices, consulting, placement of cameras, you know, where it is necessary to harden facilities, where it is necessary to have a door with locks--simple things that can save lives.
That program has now been appropriated. In the legislation we just passed, there was a $90 million appropriation for this program. The Jewish community, the Christian community, the Muslim community, the Sikh community, the Hindu community, and others are very supportive of this program.
H.R. 2476 is the legislation I am talking about this evening, called the Securing American Nonprofit Organizations Against Terrorism Act. Tonight, I am hopeful that we can pass, by unanimous consent, this legislation. In the appropriations bill, there is a $90 million appropriation from Congress for the program for this fiscal year. Our authorization bill is at $75 million. Again, it is a very important program.
I am pleased that the Department of Homeland Security has recently changed its rules to allow these institutions to use the funds not just for cameras, locks, and other hardening but also for armed guards where necessary. Sadly, it is necessary to disrupt and stop some of these hate crimes that are occurring.
Senator Mike Lee had some concerns about the cost. I understand his concern. We are going to keep the cost in an efficient and effective manner--going to the organizations that really need it. I appreciate his talking to me about that tonight and his willingness to allow us to move forward on this legislation.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2476 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (H.R. 2476) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide funding to secure nonprofit facilities from terrorist attacks, and for other purposes.
There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Mr. PORTMAN. I further ask that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (H.R. 2476) was ordered to a third reading, was read the third time, and passed.
FALLEN WARRIOR BATTLEFIELD CROSS MEMORIAL ACT
Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, another bill has been cleared tonight that I would like to ask the U.S. Senate to provide unanimous consent for. This is legislation called the Fallen Warrior Battlefield Cross Memorial Act. This comes out of a situation in Ohio where some of our veterans were not permitted to have a battlefield cross at their grave site.
Senator Brown, myself, and other Members have been supportive of this legislation, and tonight I am pleased to say that we now have unanimous consent from the other side of the aisle to proceed with it.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Veterans' Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1424 and that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (H.R. 1424) to amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure the Secretary of Veterans Affairs permits the display of Fallen Soldier Displays in national cemeteries.
There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Mr. PORTMAN. I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (H.R. 1424) was ordered to a third reading, was read the third time, and passed.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.
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