Loudermilk Bill to Strengthen Local Law Enforcement Ability to Combat Terrorism

Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) has introduced legislation to bolster local law enforcement’s involvement in fighting the war on terrorism, and strengthen community awareness of the threat.

H.R. 4401, the “Amplifying Local Efforts to Root out Terrorism (ALERT) Act of 2016,” will allow federal law enforcement to train and work closely with state and local law enforcement in using the most effective tactics and methods to counter terrorism.

“Our local law enforcement is crucial to our national security, and they are too often overlooked as a valuable asset in fighting against acts of terrorism,” said Rep. Loudermilk. “That’s why I introduced the ALERT Act, to provide training, improve coordination, and increase community awareness of the foreign fighter threat. This bill evolved from months of research and investigation, as a member of the Committee on Homeland Security’s Foreign Fighter Task Force. As the threats against America by radical Islamists increases, fighting terrorism cannot be a singular effort, conducted by one element of our federal government; it requires the cooperation and coordination of multiple levels of all governments, and local community participation. My legislation will not, in itself, end the threat of terrorism against our nation, but it will add to the critical resources already in our communities.”

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman, Michael McCaul, co-sponsored the ALERT Act, and is a strong supporter of the measure.

Representative Loudermilk’s bill fills dangerous security gaps and will better protect the homeland. I applaud Rep. Loudermilk’s leadership on the Foreign Fighter Task Force, and his forward leaning approach in keeping America safe.”