[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 206 (Thursday, December 19, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7226-S7227]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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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