Ranking Member Cole Remarks on H.R. 350

Hearing

As delivered during today's hearing:

We're back this morning on an additional item: H.R. 350, the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022.

A similar piece of legislation passed the House two years ago under suspension of the rules. Yet the fact that we are meeting on it today underscores the fact that circumstances have dramatically changed and not for the better.

Since the House last considered this legislation, what has the Biden Administration done with the tools it already has to combat domestic terrorism? Used them against parents -- against moms and dads desperately concerned for the education of their children and the deeply damaging impact that the pandemic policies are having on their children's lives.

Make no mistake, House Republicans are committed to our national security, to combating all forms of violence and to ensuring our law enforcement has the tools they need to keep us safe from enemies both foreign and domestic. H.R. 350 does nothing to enhance this capability. Instead, it mandates reports that haven't been asked for, creates more bureaucracy where ample exists and has a chilling effect that will limit state and local law enforcement's efforts to recruit and retain qualified candidates.

If Democrats are serious about combating domestic terrorism in all forms, I know my Republican colleagues on the Judiciary Committee -- who have been shut out of the process at every turn -- have substantive and meaningful ideas to bring to the table.

I hope we will do better in the future.

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