S. 1959 (110th): Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007
110th Congress, 2007–2009. Text as of Aug 02, 2007 (Introduced).
Status & Summary
| PDF
| Source: GPO
S 1959 IS
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1959
To establish the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent
Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. COLEMAN) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs
A BILL
To establish the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent
Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism, and for other purposes.
August 2, 2007
Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. COLEMAN) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs- Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
- This Act may be cited as the `Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007'.
SEC. 2. PREVENTION OF VIOLENT RADICALIZATION AND HOMEGROWN TERRORISM.
- (a) In General- Title VIII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(6 U.S.C. 361 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`Subtitle J--Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism
`SEC. 899A. DEFINITIONS.
- `In this subtitle:
- `(1) COMMISSION- The term
`Commission' means the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent
Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism established under section 899C.
`(2) VIOLENT RADICALIZATION- The term `violent radicalization' means the process of adopting or promoting an extremist belief system for the purpose of facilitating ideologically based violence to advance political, religious, or social change.
`(3) HOMEGROWN TERRORISM- The term `homegrown terrorism' means the use, planned use, or threatened use, of force or violence by a group or individual born, raised, or based and operating primarily within the United States or any possession of the United States to intimidate or coerce the United States government, the civilian population of the United States, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.
`(4) IDEOLOGICALLY BASED VIOLENCE- The term `ideologically based violence' means the use, planned use, or threatened use of force or violence by a group or individual to promote the group or individual's political, religious, or social beliefs.
`SEC. 899B. FINDINGS.
- `The Congress finds the following:
- `(1) The development
and implementation of methods and processes that can be used to prevent
violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based
violence in the United States is critical to combating domestic
terrorism.
`(2) The promotion of violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence exists in the United States and poses a threat to homeland security.
`(3) The Internet has aided in facilitating violent radicalization, ideologically based violence, and the homegrown terrorism process in the United States by providing access to broad and constant streams of terrorist-related propaganda to United States citizens.
`(4) While the United States must continue its vigilant efforts to combat international terrorism, it must also strengthen efforts to combat the threat posed by homegrown terrorists based and operating within the United States.
`(5) Understanding the motivational factors that lead to violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence is a vital step toward eradicating these threats in the United States.
`(6) The potential rise of self radicalized, unaffiliated terrorists domestically cannot be easily prevented through traditional Federal intelligence or law enforcement efforts, and requires the incorporation of State and local solutions.
`(7) Individuals prone to violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence span all races, ethnicities, and religious beliefs, and individuals should not be targeted based solely on race, ethnicity, or religion.
`(8) Any measure taken to prevent violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence and homegrown terrorism in the United States should not violate the constitutional rights, civil rights, or civil liberties of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents.
`(9) Certain governments, including the Government of the United Kingdom, the Government of Canada, and the Government of Australia have significant experience with homegrown terrorism and the United States can benefit from lessons learned by those nations.
`SEC. 899C. NATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE PREVENTION OF VIOLENT RADICALIZATION AND IDEOLOGICALLY BASED VIOLENCE.
- `(a) Establishment- There is established within the legislative
branch of the Government the National Commission on the Prevention of
Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism.
`(b) Purpose- The purposes of the Commission are the following:
- `(1)
Examine and report upon the facts and causes of violent radicalization,
homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence in the United
States, including United States connections to non-United States persons
and networks, violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and
ideologically based violence in prison, individual or `lone wolf'
violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based
violence, and other faces of the phenomena of violent radicalization,
homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence that the
Commission considers important.
`(2) The Commission shall, in cooperation with the Department, the Department of State, and other Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, conduct a survey of methodologies implemented by foreign nations to prevent violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism in their respective nations.
`(3) Build upon and bring together the work of other entities and avoid unnecessary duplication, by reviewing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of--
- `(A) the Center of Excellence established or designated under section 899D, and other academic work, as appropriate;
`(B) Federal, State, local, or tribal government studies of, reviews of, and experiences with violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence; and
`(C) foreign government studies of, reviews of, and experiences with violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence.
- `(1)
2 members shall be appointed by the President from among officers or
employees of the executive branch and private citizens of the United
States;
`(2) 2 members shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;
`(3) 1 member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;
`(4) 2 members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
`(5) 1 member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives;
`(6) 1 member shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives;
`(7) 1 member shall be appointed by the ranking minority member of the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives;
`(8) 1 member shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and
`(9) 1 member shall be appointed by the ranking minority member of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
`(e) Qualifications-
- `(1)
IN GENERAL- Individuals shall be selected for appointment to the
Commission solely on the basis of their professional qualifications,
achievements, public stature, experience, and expertise in relevant
fields, including behavioral science, constitutional law, corrections,
counterterrorism, cultural anthropology, education, information
technology, intelligence, juvenile justice, local law enforcement,
organized crime, Islam and other world religions, sociology, or
terrorism.
`(2) LIMITATION- Not more than 6 members of the Commission shall be from the same political party.
`(g) Quorum and Meetings- The Commission shall meet and begin the operations of the Commission not later than 30 days after the date on which all members have been appointed or, if such meeting cannot be mutually agreed upon, on a date designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Each subsequent meeting shall occur upon the call of the Chair or a majority of its members. A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold meetings.
`(h) Powers of Commission-
- `(1) IN GENERAL-
- `(A)
HEARINGS AND EVIDENCE- The Commission or, on the authority of the
Commission, any subcommittee or member thereof, may, for the purpose of
carrying out this section, hold hearings and sit and act at such times
and places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and administer
such oaths as the Commission considers advisable to carry out its
duties.
`(B) CONTRACTING- The Commission may, to such extent and in such amounts as are provided in appropriation Acts, enter into contracts to enable the Commission to discharge its duties under this section.
- `(A)
IN GENERAL- The Commission may secure directly from any executive
department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent
establishment, or instrumentality of the Government, information
(including classified information), suggestions, estimates, and
statistics for the purposes of this section. The head of each such
department, bureau, agency, board, commission, office, independent
establishment, or instrumentality shall, to the extent authorized by
law, furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics
directly to the Commission, upon request made by the Chair of the
Commission, by the chair of any subcommittee created by a majority of
the Commission, or by any member designated by a majority of the
Commission.
`(B) RECEIPT, HANDLING, STORAGE, AND DISSEMINATION- Information shall only be received, handled, stored, and disseminated by members of the Commission and its staff consistent with all applicable statutes, regulations, and Executive orders.
- `(1)
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION- The Administrator of General Services
shall provide to the Commission on a reimbursable basis administrative
support and other services for the performance of the Commission's
functions.
`(2) OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES- In addition to the assistance required under paragraph (1), a Federal department or agency may provide to the Commission such services, funds, facilities, and staff as they may determine advisable and as may be authorized by law.
`(k) Nonapplicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act- The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Commission.
`(l) Public Meetings-
- `(1) IN GENERAL- The Commission shall hold public hearings and meetings to the extent appropriate.
`(2) PROTECTION OF INFORMATION- Any public hearings of the Commission shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the protection of information provided to or developed for or by the Commission as required by any applicable statute, regulation, or Executive order.
- `(1)
APPOINTMENT AND COMPENSATION- The Chair of the Commission, in
consultation with the Vice Chair and in accordance with rules adopted by
the Commission, may appoint and fix the compensation of a staff
director and such other personnel as may be necessary to enable the
Commission to carry out its functions, without regard to the provisions
of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the
competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 51
and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to
classification and General Schedule pay rates, except that no rate of
pay fixed under this subsection may exceed the maximum rate of pay for
GS-15 under the General Schedule.
`(2) STAFF EXPERTISE- Individuals shall be selected for appointment as staff of the Commission on the basis of their expertise in one or more of the fields described in subsection (e)(1).
`(3) PERSONNEL AS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES-
- `(A)
IN GENERAL- The executive director and any employee of the Commission
shall be employees under section 2105 of title 5, United States Code,
for purposes of chapters 63, 81, 83, 84, 85, 87, 89, and 90 of that
title.
`(B) MEMBERS OF COMMISSION- Subparagraph (A) shall not be construed to apply to members of the Commission.
`(5) CONSULTANT SERVICES- The Commission may procure the services of experts and consultants in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, at rates not to exceed the daily rate paid a person occupying a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code.
`(6) EMPHASIS ON SECURITY CLEARANCES- The Commission shall make it a priority to hire as employees and retain as contractors and detailees individuals otherwise authorized by this section who have active security clearances.
- `(1)
COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS- Each member of the Commission who is not an
employee of the Government shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed
the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for a
position at level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of
title 5, United States Code, for each day during which that member is
engaged in the actual performance of the duties of the Commission.
`(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES- While away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission, members of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission.
`(3) TREATMENT OF SERVICE FOR PURPOSES OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS- A member of the Commission who is an annuitant otherwise covered by section 8344 or 8468 of title 5, United States Code, by reason of membership on the Commission shall not be subject to the provisions of such section with respect to membership on the Commission.
`(4) VACANCIES- A vacancy on the Commission shall not affect its powers and shall be filled in the manner in which the original appointment was made. The appointment of the replacement member shall be made not later than 60 days after the date on which the vacancy occurs.
`(p) Reports-
- `(1) FINAL REPORT-
- `(A)
IN GENERAL- Not later than 18 months after the date on which the
Commission first meets, the Commission shall submit to the President and
Congress a final report including--
- `(i) its findings and conclusions;
`(ii) legislative recommendations for--
- `(I)
immediate and long-term countermeasures to violent radicalization,
homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence; and
`(II) measures that can be taken to prevent violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence from developing and spreading within the United States; and
- `(A) by not later than 6 months after the date on which the Commission first meets, a first interim report on--
- `(i) its findings and conclusions and legislative recommendations for the purposes described in paragraph (1)(A); and
`(ii) its recommendations on the feasibility of a grant program established and administered by the Secretary for the purpose of preventing, disrupting, and mitigating the effects of violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence and, if such a program is feasible, recommendations on how grant funds should be used and administered; and
`(4) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY- The Commission shall release a public version of each report required under this subsection.
`(r) Termination of Commission- The Commission shall terminate 30 days after the date on which the Commission submits its final report under subsection (p).
`SEC. 899D. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR THE STUDY OF VIOLENT RADICALIZATION AND HOMEGROWN TERRORISM IN THE UNITED STATES.
- `(a) Establishment-
- `(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary
shall establish or designate a university-based Center of Excellence for
the Study of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism in the
United States (in this section referred to as the `Center') using
merit-review processes and procedures and other limitations established
for designating university-based centers for homeland security under
section 308(b)(2)(B). The Center shall assist homeland security
officials of Federal, State, local, and tribal governments through
training, education, and research in preventing violent radicalization
and homegrown terrorism in the United States.
`(2) USE OF EXISTING CENTERS- In carrying out this section, the Secretary may create a new Center designed exclusively for the purpose described in subsection (b) or identify and expand a university-based center for homeland security of the Department in existence on the date of enactment of this subtitle by designating a working group within that center to achieve the purpose described in subsection (b).
`(c) Activities- In carrying out this section, the Center shall--
- `(1)
contribute to the establishment of training, written materials,
information, analytical assistance and professional resources to aid in
combating violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism;
`(2) use theories, methods and data from the social and behavioral sciences to better understand the origins, dynamics, and social and psychological aspects of violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism;
`(3) conduct research on the motivational factors that lead to violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism; and
`(4) coordinate with other academic institutions studying the effects of violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism, where appropriate.
`SEC. 899E. PROTECTING CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES WHILE PREVENTING IDEOLOGICALLY BASED VIOLENCE AND HOMEGROWN TERRORISM.
- `(a) In General- In carrying out this subtitle, the Secretary
shall ensure that the efforts of the Department to prevent ideologically
based violence and homegrown terrorism as described in this subtitle do
not violate the constitutional rights, civil rights, and civil
liberties of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents.
`(b) Commitment to Racial Neutrality- The Secretary shall ensure that the activities and operations of the entities created by this subtitle are in compliance with the commitment of the Department to racial neutrality.
`(c) Auditing Mechanism- The Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Officer of the Department shall develop and implement an auditing mechanism to ensure that compliance with this subtitle does not result in a disproportionate impact, without a rational basis, on any particular race, ethnicity, or religion and include the results of its audit in its annual report to Congress required under section 705.'.
(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 899 the following:
`Subtitle J--Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism
- `Sec. 899A. Definitions.
`Sec. 899B. Findings.
`Sec. 899C. National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Ideologically Based Violence.
`Sec. 899D. Center of Excellence for the Study of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism in the United States.
`Sec. 899E. Protecting civil rights and civil liberties while preventing ideologically based violence and homegrown terrorism.'.
LIFE IS A GAME OF CONNECT THE DOTS, IF YOU DON'T CONNECT ALL THE DOTS OR DON'T CONNECT THEM IN THE RIGHT ORDER YOU NEVER GET THE PICTURE
No comments:
Post a Comment