Rep. Josh Gottheimer pressed for action in fighting the financing of domestic terrorism at a recent hearing in Washington.
During remarks introducing Jared M. Maples, Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, Gottheimer addressed the growing threat of the financing of domestic terrorism, extremism, white supremacists, and anti-Semitism.
“On many occasions, including recently after the attack in Jersey City, and in far too many incidents of hate in my District, Director Maples, our first responders, and I have stood together-and worked closely with each other- to make sure our synagogues, churches, mosques, and communities have what it takes to protect against the next terrorist attack,” stated Gottheimer.
Gottheimer highlighted his legislation, the FASTER Act — the Freezing Assets of Suspected Terrorists and Enemy Recruits Act, currently being considered as a discussion draft within the committee.
“I’ve proposed bipartisan legislation…to help law enforcement freeze the assets of ISIS-inspired, lone-wolf terrorists or other extremists on our soil, to prevent these funds from being used to carry out another attack by friends, family, or unknown accomplices operating in a small cell,” he said “It calls for a National Homegrown Terrorism Incident Clearinghouse, for law enforcement to collect and share information on incidents to help investigate and thwart future attacks”
“My office assessed that many organized domestic extremist activities are funded through criminal enterprises such as the illicit sale of counterfeit goods, drug and weapon trafficking, cigarette smuggling, and various fundraising methods,” said Jared M. Maples, Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
Additionally, Gottheimer highlighted his bipartisan legislation, H.R.4942 — the Darren Drake Act, cosponsored by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), to help stop ISIS-inspired terrorists from using trucks and other vehicles as weapons of mass destruction. The legislation is named in memory of New Milford, NJ, resident Darren Drake, a victim of the October 2017 New York City terrorist truck attack.
“On many occasions, including recently after the attack in Jersey City, and in far too many incidents of hate in my District, Director Maples, our first responders, and I have stood together, and worked closely with each other, to make sure our synagogues, churches, mosques, and communities have what it takes to protect against the next terrorist attack,” stated Gottheimer.
