Washington D.C. (February 25, 2015) | In response to the threat from extremists fighting overseas and the danger they pose to the U.S. homeland, Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) today was appointed by the U.S. Homeland Security Committee to serve as part of a bipartisan “Task Force on Combating Terrorist and Foreign Fighter Travel.”
“We are experiencing a historic convergence of foreign fighters joining the ranks of extreme Islamic terrorist organizations,” said Rep. Loudermilk. “From countries all around the world, including the United States, people are traveling to Syria and other nations to be trained and armed to carry out acts of terrorism. The United States remains one of the premier targets of these organizations, which places the safety and security of every American at risk. We must explore every avenue to stop these actors of evil before they are able to carry out their mission. This task force is critical to pull back the veil of political correctness and look at the real threat we face. I look forward to working with the other members of this bipartisan task force, law enforcement and other agencies to ensure we have the policies, tools and resources needed for our nation to remain free, safe and full of opportunity.”
Comprised of five Republicans and three Democrats, the Task Force will assess the U.S. government’s efforts to obstruct terrorist travel and to keep violent extremists from entering the United States. The Task Force will meet with government agencies, top officials, outside experts, and others to generate policy solutions and develop legislative recommendations to mitigate the threat.
Members of the Task Force include: Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., Republican Lead; Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D – Calif., Democratic Lead; Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas; Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R- Ga.; Rep. Martha McSally, R –Ariz.; Rep. Donald Payne, Jr., D –N.J.; Rep. John Ratcliffe, R- Texas; Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Texas.