The Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday approved a measure that would create a commission to study the roots of homegrown terrorism.
The panel also approved measures that would require the screening of airport employees and the creation of a new bio- and agro-defense facility.
One of the measures (HR 1955), approved by voice vote, would create a commission to investigate the roots of radicalism and direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to confer with their counterparts in other countries on domestic terrorism prevention strategies.
The temporary commission would analyze "homegrown terrorism and ideologically based violence" and report its recommendations for combating such acts to Congress and the president.
The proposed so-called National Commission on the Prevention of Radicalization and Ideologically Based Violence would issue an interim report to Congress on the feasibility of a state grant program to prevent native terrorism threats.
"The better we understand the radical threat, the better we can prevent radicalization from spreading in our country," said Dave Reichert, R-Wash., during the markup.
The legislation also states that, while undertaking the studies, the Homeland Security department would have to commit to racial neutrality and protection of civil liberties.
Airport Employee ScreeningThe panel also, by voice, approved a bill (HR 1413) that would create a trial program to screen employees with access to secure areas at seven airports.
Nita M. Lowey, D-N.Y., sponsor of the legislation, said "meticulously screening passengers but allowing workers full access to secure areas is like installing an expensive security system and leaving your back door open."
It has not been determined which airports would be part of the pilot program, although the bill would require at least one to be a federally designated lower-traffic facility and at least one to employ a private screening company. The measure would also direct the DHS to carry out an operational assessment of all airports participating in the program.
The legislation follows a congressional outcry over recent security breaches involving airport employees at Orlando International Airport in Florida and at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona.
In the Senate, Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., has introduced a related measure (S 1050) that would require all airports to begin screening employees between 2008 and 2010. The bill has not been considered.
The committee also approved by voice vote a bill (HR 1717) that would create a National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility within DHS, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture.
The legislation would authorize the proposed facility to research a range of foreign animal diseases and biological threats, including foot-and-mouth disease. The center would operate at biosafety levels three and four, the two highest risk-containment levels for biological agents.
A substitute amendment that was sponsored by Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and adopted by voice vote would require the Homeland Security and Agriculture secretaries to produce an agreement on departmental responsibilities and develop the facility's governance structure.
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