Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-1955
Sponsor: Rep. Harman, Jane [D-CA-36]
Introduced: 2007-04-19 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reorganization
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Extremist movements in politics
Federal aid to education
Government Operations and Politics
Higher education
Ideology
International Affairs
Policy sciences
Political violence
Research centers
Right of privacy
Surveys
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2007-04-19
text: 
Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to add provisions concerning the prevention of homegrown terrorism (terrorism by individuals born, raised, or based and operating primarily in the United States).
 
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) establish a grant program to prevent radicalization (use of an extremist belief system for facilitating ideologically-based violence) and homegrown terrorism in the United States; (2) establish or designate a university-based Center of Excellence for the Study of Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism in the United States; and (3) conduct a survey of methodologies implemented by foreign nations to prevent radicalization and homegrown terrorism.
 
Prohibits the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to prevent ideologically-based violence and homegrown terrorism from violating the constitutional and civil rights, and civil liberties, of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.

action_date: 2007-10-16
text: 
Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to add a new section concerning the prevention of violent radicalization (an extremist belief system for facilitating ideologically based violence to advance political, religious, or social change) and homegrown terrorism (violence by a group or individual within the United States to coerce the U.S. government, the civilian population, or a segment thereof in furtherance of political or social objectives).
 
Establishes within the legislative branch the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism to: (1) examine and report on facts and causes of violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence in the United States; and (2) build upon, bring together, and avoid unnecessary duplication of related work done by other entities toward such goal. Requires: (1) interim reports and a final report from the Commission to the President and Congress on its findings and recommendations; (2) the public availability of such reports; and (3) Commission termination 30 days after its final report.
 
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish or designate a university-based Center of Excellence for the Study of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism in the United States to assist federal, state, local, and tribal homeland security officials, through training, education, and research, in preventing violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism in the United States. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a survey of methodologies implemented by foreign nations to prevent violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism; and (2) report to Congress on lessons learned from survey results.
 
Prohibits Department of Homeland Security (DHS) efforts to prevent ideologically based violence and homegrown terrorism from violating the constitutional and civil rights and civil liberties of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. Directs the: (1) Secretary to ensure that activities and operations are in compliance with DHS's commitment to racial neutrality; and (2) DHS Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Officer to develop and implement an auditing system to ensure that compliance does not result in a disproportionate impact, without a rational basis, on any particular race, ethnicity, or religion, and to include audit results in its annual report to Congress.

action_date: 2007-10-23
text: 
Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to add a new section concerning the prevention of violent radicalization (an extremist belief system for facilitating ideologically based violence to advance political, religious, or social change) and homegrown terrorism (violence by a group or individual within the United States to coerce the U.S. government, the civilian population, or a segment thereof in furtherance of political or social objectives).
 
Establishes within the legislative branch the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism to: (1) examine and report on facts and causes of violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence in the United States; and (2) build upon, bring together, and avoid unnecessary duplication of related work done by other entities toward such goal. Requires: (1) interim reports and a final report from the Commission to the President and Congress on its findings and recommendations; (2) the public availability of such reports; and (3) Commission termination 30 days after its final report.
 
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish or designate a university-based Center of Excellence for the Study of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism in the United States to assist federal, state, local, and tribal homeland security officials, through training, education, and research, in preventing violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism in the United States. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a survey of methodologies implemented by foreign nations to prevent violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism; and (2) report to Congress on lessons learned from survey results.
 
Prohibits Department of Homeland Security (DHS) efforts to prevent ideologically based violence and homegrown terrorism from violating the constitutional and civil rights or civil liberties of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Directs the: (1) Secretary to ensure that activities and operations are in compliance with DHS's commitment to racial neutrality; and (2) DHS Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Officer to develop and implement an auditing system to ensure that compliance does not violate the constitutional and civil rights or civil liberties of any racial, ethnic, or religious group, and to include audit results in its annual report to Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-10-24
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 6 (Roll no. 993). (text: CR H11854-11857)
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 404 - 6 (Roll no. 993).(text: CR H11854-11857)
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H11899-11900)
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1955.
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H11854-11862)
action_date: 2007-10-23
text: Mr. Thompson (MS) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2007-10-16
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 239.
action_date: 2007-10-16
text: Committee on Judiciary discharged.
action_date: 2007-10-16
text: Committee on Judiciary discharged.
action_date: 2007-10-16
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 110-384, Part I.
action_date: 2007-10-16
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 110-384, Part I.
action_date: 2007-08-01
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2007-08-01
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-07-17
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2007-07-17
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-07-17
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2007-06-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.
action_date: 2007-05-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing, and Terrorism Risk Assessment.
action_date: 2007-04-19
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-04-19
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-04-19
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-04-19
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E803)
action_date: 2007-04-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-04-19
text: Introduced in House