[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 96 (Monday, June 10, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H4365-H4367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SECURING AMERICAN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AGAINST TERRORISM ACT OF 2019
Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the 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.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2476
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Securing American Nonprofit
Organizations Against Terrorism Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. NONPROFIT SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subtitle A of title XX of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following new section:
``SEC. 2009. NONPROFIT SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM.
``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the
Department a program to be known as the `Nonprofit Security
Grant Program' (in this section referred to as the
`Program'). Under the Program, the Secretary, acting through
the Administrator, shall make grants to eligible nonprofit
organizations described in subsection (b), through the State
in which such organizations are located, for target hardening
and other security enhancements to protect against terrorist
attacks.
``(b) Eligible Recipients.--Eligible nonprofit
organizations described in this subsection (a) are
organizations that are--
``(1) described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a)
of such Code; and
``(2) determined to be at risk of a terrorist attack by the
Administrator.
``(c) Permitted Uses.--The recipient of a grant under this
section may use such grant for any of the following uses:
``(1) Target hardening activities, including physical
security enhancement equipment and inspection and screening
systems.
``(2) Fees for security training relating to physical
security and cybersecurity, target hardening, terrorism
awareness, and employee awareness.
``(3) Any other appropriate activity, including
cybersecurity resilience activities, as determined by the
Administrator.
``(d) Period of Performance.--The Administrator shall make
funds provided under this section available for use by a
recipient of a grant for a period of not less than 36 months.
``(e) Report.--The Administrator shall annually for each of
fiscal years 2020 through 2024 submit to the Committee on
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of
the Senate a report containing information on the expenditure
by each grant recipient of grant funds made under this
section.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated
$75,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024 to
carry out this section.
``(2) Specification.--Of the amounts authorized to be
appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1)--
``(A) $50,000,000 is authorized for eligible recipients
located in jurisdictions that receive funding under section
2003; and
``(B) $25,000,000 is authorized for eligible recipients in
jurisdictions not receiving funding under section 2003.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (a) of section 2002
of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 603) is
amended by striking ``sections 2003 and 2004'' and inserting
``sections 2003, 2004, and 2009''.
(c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section
1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 2008 the
following new item:
``Sec. 2009. Nonprofit security grant program.''
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
New York (Miss Rice) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Crenshaw) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
General Leave
Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from New York?
There was no objection.
Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 2476, the Securing
American
[[Page H4366]]
Nonprofit Organizations Against Terrorism Act of 2019.
H.R. 2476 would authorize the Department of Homeland Security's
Nonprofit Security Grant Program. This important grant program makes
funding available to nonprofit organizations that are at risk of a
terrorist attack.
Recently, nonprofit and religious organizations throughout the United
States and abroad have experienced an alarming increase in violence and
threats of violence. This year alone has been particularly tragic.
Consider, for example, the April 27 shooting in Poway, California,
where a gunman opened fire on congregants at a Passover celebration.
Other such attacks include the April 21 coordinated terrorist attack
on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka that killed nearly 250 people and
injured more than 500 others. And the March 15 shooting at a mosque in
New Zealand where 50 people were killed.
This past April, we also saw the burning of three churches in
Louisiana, which we later learned were motivated by hate.
Unfortunately, however, targeting houses of worship is not a new
phenomenon. There was the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting in
Pittsburgh where 11 people were killed; the 2017 shooting at a church
in Sutherland Springs, Texas, where 26 people were killed; and the 2012
shooting at a Sikh temple in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
These attacks amplify the dire need that religious institutions and
other nonprofit organizations have for effective security resources.
They need these resources to keep themselves safe.
H.R. 2476 would also allow these grants to be made available to all
at-risk facilities, regardless of where they are located.
The bill authorizes the program at $75 million, with $50 million
reserved for nonprofit institutions located within the UASI areas, the
Urban Area Security Initiative areas, and $25 million reserved for
institutions located outside of UASI jurisdictions.
The goal of DHS is to keep Americans safe across this country. This
bill is a critical part of that goal. It would help ensure that
nonprofits and places of worship across the country are protected and
that congregants have the peace of mind they deserve.
I think we can all agree that protecting our communities from
terrorist attacks should never be a partisan issue, and that is why the
roster of 104 cosponsors for this legislation is large and diverse,
with strong representation by Democrats and Republicans, myself
included.
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program is one of the most sought-after
grant programs for nonprofit organizations in my district, and I am
grateful that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have
demonstrated such strong support for the program.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2476, the Securing
American Nonprofit Organizations Act of 2019.
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program provides critical funding to
harden security at houses of worship, community centers, schools, and
other cultural institutions located in Urban Area Security Initiative,
or UASI, regions.
This legislation expands the grant program so eligible entities not
within UASI regions can also apply. These grants are used for target-
hardening activities and physical security upgrades as well as for
necessary security training.
The unfortunate reality is that threats to religious institutions and
other soft targets are not going away and, in fact, are increasing at
an alarming rate.
There have been a number of attacks, both overseas and in the United
States, at places of worship. It is a stark reminder of the continued
threat.
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program assists the most at-risk
organizations in hardening their defenses, while allowing them to
remain focused on providing services and counsel in their communities.
Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to
do so. I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, as the threats to our homeland
continue to evolve, we must be prepared to face the new and emerging
challenges they present.
H.R. 2476 would authorize DHS to continue assisting nonprofit
organizations across the country with protecting their members and
their buildings.
A version of this bill passed the House by a voice vote in the last
Congress, and I hope my colleagues will do the same again today.
H.R. 2476 was also endorsed by the Jewish Federations of North
America. I truly appreciate their partnership and collaboration around
this critical Homeland Security program, and I include in the Record
their letter of support.
The Jewish Federations
of North America,
May 9, 2019.
Hon. Bennie G. Thompson,
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of
Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Michael Dennis Rogers,
Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Rogers: We
commend you for scheduling the mark-up of H.R. 2476, the
``Securing American Non-Profit Organizations Against
Terrorism Act of 2019'', and respectfully urge Members of the
Committee to support the bill.
On April 27, 2019, white supremacist John Earnest allegedly
entered the Chabad of Poway synagogue, near San Diego, CA,
during Passover services, and murdered Lori Kaye, 60, and
attempted to murder Noya Dahan, 8, Almog Peretz, 34, and
Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, 57. On October 27, 2018, white
supremacist Robert D. Bowers allegedly entered the Tree of
Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA, during Sabbath services,
and murdered 11 congregants and wounded six others, including
four police officers. In the months between these deadly
attacks, the FBI has brought charges against would-be
terrorists and violent homegrown extremists for plots and
threats against synagogues, Jewish community centers,
mosques, Islamic centers, and churches located in Washington,
DC, New York, California, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Montana,
Florida, Ohio, Texas, Kansas, Oregon and Pennsylvania.
Over the past year, the FBI has investigated more than 100
threats to religious institutions. As recently as January
2019, the Federal Government released a Joint Intelligence
Bulletin that assesses that domestic actors will continue to
pose a lethal threat to faith-based communities in the
Homeland. The JIB advises government counterterrorism and law
enforcement officials and private sector security partners
responsible for securing faith-based communities to remain
vigilant in light of the enduring threat to faith-based
communities posed by US-based threat actors and homegrown
violent extremists. The JIB also warns of the difficulty in
detecting domestic terrorists and extremists because of the
individualized nature of their radicalization to violence.
(Source: Joint Intelligence Bulletin IA-32337-19, February
22, 2019)
In previous reports, the Department of Homeland Security
has found that faith-based organizations are at particular
risk of attack because of the significant number of people of
like faith that gather together in a single symbolic location
at specified times; the organizations typically have
unrestricted access to their religious services and
peripheral areas such as their parking areas and education
facilities; and because these organizations most likely have
limited resources for security as nonprofit institutions. As
``soft targets'', DHS has further assessed that these
organizations are particularly vulnerable to bombing, arson
attack, small arms attack, assassination and kidnapping, and
chemical/biological/radiological attack. To counter these
threats and vulnerabilities, DHS recommends that faith-based
organizations take a number of key protective measures
against threats and to mitigate the effects of an attack,
including: installation of target hardening equipment,
engaging in planning and preparedness activities and the
acquisition of security personnel.
Recognizing that many nonprofits do not have the financial
resources to implement extensive security measures, the
``Securing American Non-Profit Organizations Against
Terrorism Act of 2019'' provides critical support for
security related activities to nonprofit organizations at
risk of a terrorist attack that are recommended by the
Department of Homeland Security. These include support for:
Physical Security Enhancements, such as access controls,
blast proofing, surveillance, fencing and bollards;
Security Training of employees and organization members and
volunteers;
Exercises, such as those that validate plans and
procedures, evaluate capabilities, and assess progress toward
meeting capability targets;
Planning, such as the development and enhancement of
security plans and protocols, emergency contingency plans, or
evacuation/shelter-in-place plans; and
Contracting of Security Personnel and off-duty police
officers.
[[Page H4367]]
In consideration of the substantial threats and attacks to
nonprofit institutions by domestic and foreign terrorists and
violent homegrown extremists, the vulnerability of nonprofits
to destruction, incapacitation, or exploitation from a
terrorist attack, and the challenges nonprofits face in
providing for needed investments in target hardening and
related preparedness activities, The Jewish Federations
respectfully urges the Members of the Committee to support
the ``Securing American Non-Profit Organizations Against
Terrorism Act of 2019'' at markup.
Sincerely,
Robert B. Goldberg,
Senior Director, Legislative Affairs.
Miss RICE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my
colleagues to support H.R. 2476, and I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2476 would, for the
first time, formally authorize the Department of Homeland Security's
Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
This important grant program makes funding available to nonprofit
organizations that are at risk of a terrorist attack.
Increasingly, nonprofit organizations throughout the United States
and abroad have experienced an alarming increase in violence and
threats of violence.
In just the first six months of 2019, the level of bloodshed in
places of worship have shocked the world.
In addition to the April 27th shooting, where a gunman opened fire on
congregants at a Passover celebration at a California synagogue, there
was the April 21st coordinated terrorist attack on churches and hotels
in Sri Lanka that killed nearly 250 people and the March 15th live-
streamed mass shooting at a mosque in New Zealand, where 50 people were
killed.
The horror of these attacks was compounded by the three church
burnings in Louisiana in April.
Prior to this year, there were the 2018 ``Tree of Life'' synagogue
shooting in Pittsburgh, where 11 people were killed; the 2017
Sutherland Springs, Texas church shooting, where 26 people were killed;
and the 2012 shooting at a Sikh Temple in Milwaukee.
These attacks amplify the need for religious and other nonprofit
organizations to have access to resources to keep themselves safe from
bad actors.
Enactment of H.R. 2476 will help non-profits and places of worship
take steps to be safer.
I introduced this legislation to authorize $75 million in grants with
Representatives Peter King (R-NY), Max Rose (D-NY), Steve Stivers (R-
OH), Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), and Troy Balderson (R-OH) in early May and,
to date, it has over 100 Democrats and Republicans.
H.R. 2476 was endorsed by The Jewish Federations of North America.
I truly appreciate their support and commitment to this vital
homeland security program.
Prospects for enactment of this legislation are good, as a bipartisan
companion bill has been introduced.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support for H.R. 2476.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2476,
the ``Securing American Non-Profit Organizations Against Terrorism Act
of 2019.''
H.R. 2476 reauthorizes the Department of Homeland Security's
Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP).
The bill would fund the NSGP at $75 million through fiscal year 2024;
where $50 million would be reserved for nonprofit institutions located
within UASI jurisdictions, and $25 million would be reserved for
nonprofit institutions located outside of UASI jurisdictions.
This bill is caused by the recent increase in violence and threats of
violence against nonprofit institutions.
Examples of such violence against nonprofit organizations include:
April 27--attack on the Poway synagogue that killed 11 April 21--a
coordinated terrorist attack on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka that
killed nearly 250 people and injured more than 500 people.
March 15--the deadly New Zealand mosque shootings, where 5o people
were killed.
It is critical that we better understand the seriousness of such
violent crimes as they impact not only the victims, but also their
families, communities, and the generations of people to come.
This bill will allow the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to--Target
activities, including physical security enhancement equipment,
inspection and the screening systems.
Pay for security training relating to physical security and
cybersecurity, target hardening, terrorism awareness, and employee
awareness.
Along with, any other appropriate activity, including cybersecurity
resilience activities, as determined by the Administrator.
When enacted, H.R. 2476 will create a better understanding on how we
can manage and prevent terrorist acts towards non-profit organizations
by targeting activities and increasing security training.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2476
to confront such violence against nonprofit institutions, which pose as
a strong threat to the citizens of the United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from New York (Miss Rice) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 2476.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________