House Passes Bill to Combat Domestic Terrorism and White Supremacist Violence

Strategic Insights -

The House of Representatives voted 222-203 to pass a bill aimed at preventing domestic terrorism and combating the threat of violent extremism by White supremacists, following a horrific mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, that left 10 people dead and three wounded. The bill, the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022, will next go to the Senate for consideration, where its fate is uncertain. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer plans to take procedural steps to force a vote on the bill next week, but the highly polarized partisan climate makes it unlikely that any significant policy changes will pass both chambers of Congress to be signed into law.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act would set up offices specifically focused on domestic terrorism at the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the FBI to track and analyze domestic terrorist activity.
  • The bill requires biannual reporting on domestic terrorism threats and calls for assessments of the threat posed specifically by White supremacists and neo-Nazis.
  • The measure has three Republican cosponsors: Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Don Bacon of Nebraska, and Fred Upton of Michigan.
  • The bill has been revised to address concerns about civil liberties raised by progressive members, with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer saying that issues have been resolved.
  • The 18-year-old suspected of opening fire at a Buffalo supermarket on Saturday told authorities he was targeting the Black community, according to an official familiar with the investigation.
  • The alleged gunman made disturbing statements describing his motive and state of mind following his arrest, the official said.
  • Investigators also uncovered other information from search warrants and other methods indicating the alleged shooter was "studying" previous hate attacks and shootings.

Statistics:

  • 222-203: The House vote to pass the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022.
  • 10: Number of people killed in the Buffalo shooting.
  • 3: Number of people wounded in the Buffalo shooting.
  • 11: Number of Black victims among the 13 people shot.
  • 20-86: Age range of the victims.
  • 2: Official describing the alleged shooter's motive and state of mind in the aftermath of the arrest.

Sources:

  • CNN
  • "House passes domestic terrorism bill after Buffalo shooting", CNN, May 18, 2022.
  • "Buffalo gunman allegedly told authorities he was targeting the Black community", CNN, May 18, 2022.
  • "House to vote on domestic terrorism bill after Buffalo shooting", CNN, May 18, 2022.
  • The 18-year-old suspect's statements to authorities.
  • Information from search warrants and other methods indicating the alleged shooter was "studying" previous hate attacks and shootings.