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[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.
[[Page S7227]]
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