WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, led by Chairman August Pfluger (R-TX), held a markup to advance legislation to the full Committee that enhances the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) coordination with all levels of law enforcement and helps combat evolving threats from our adversaries on U.S. soil. Read highlights of the subcommittee markup below.

On the “Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025,” Chairman Pfluger said:

“The committee has heard testimony from victims of transnational repression, including but not limited to Masih Alinejad, Enes Kanter Freedom, and Dr. Bob Fu, who is actually a constituent of mine in Midland, Texas, and all of whom have been egregiously targeted on U.S. soil for criticizing authoritarian regimes. Transnational repression is the act of a foreign government or an individual acting on behalf of a foreign government targeting anyone––an individual or anyone in a community––in any other country using violence, assassinations, the threat of violence, digital threats, intimidation, smear campaigns, or the manipulation of legal processes to harass and intimidate individuals that are critical of the nation acting as aggressor.

“These hostile acts directly challenge our nation’s sovereignty and the rule of law. DHS must take steps to recognize, assess, and help address this threat, thereby reducing the risk to the people of the United States. One of the bills we are marking up today, H.R. 2158, is an important measure that would authorize a dedicated transnational repression working group within DHS to analyze and monitor transnational repression and related terrorism threats, and require DHS to take actions to prevent the repression.”

On the “Law Enforcement Support and Counter Transnational Repression Act,” Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO) said:
 
“I’m proud to introduce the ‘Law Enforcement Support and Transnational Repression Act,’ which instructs DHS to create a public service announcement campaign designed to educate our diaspora communities on the threats posed by transnational repression. In addition, this bill requires DHS to post the FBI’s transnational hotline in their public service campaigns so that victims can step out of the shadows and help law enforcement help them.”
 
“Local law enforcement often is the eyes and the ears of our communities, and it’s critical that we have the ability to build that trust in those community relationships. I know that because I was a local law enforcement officer in the Denver Metro area for over a decade. I know how critical it is to support victims and strengthen public safety by equipping law enforcement agencies with the knowledge and the tools they need to identify current threats [and] build those relationships with the communities that they serve so that perpetrators can be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
 
“The Denver Metro Area is home to many diverse and resilient diaspora and immigrant communities, who have shared with me deeply moving stories of fleeing authoritarian regimes and malicious organizations in their home countries. I am committed to ensuring that people in my community can enjoy personal safety and their First Amendment rights as they pursue the American dream.”

On the “Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act,” Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) said:
 
“The last few months have shed light on the political uncertainty Syria is currently faced with. The region remains volatile and has become a breeding ground for violent extremist groups. Instability has allowed terrorist organizations to establish footholds, exacerbating national security challenges. The malign groups are using every tool at their disposal and sending bad actors our way. 
 
“The ‘Syrian Terrorism Threat Assessment Act’ ensures the Department of Homeland Security conducts an assessment of terrorist threats to the United States posed by individuals in Syria with an affiliation to a foreign terrorist organization or a specially designated global terrorist organization. By doing so, we can better examine and mitigate emerging threats from these regions. Foreign jihadist networks and other extremist groups are actively exploiting online platforms and other means to remotely radicalize and mobilize individuals to help plan and carry out terrorist attacks on American soil.”

On the “Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act,” Chairman Pfluger said:
 
“The threat of radicalization has grown significantly over the last decade…Gen AI is defined as a subset of artificial intelligence that uses generative models to produce images, videos, or other forms of data. FTOs use Gen AI for online radicalization by producing highly convincing videos that fabricate events and manipulate the perception of potential recruits. Known terrorist organizations, such as ISIS and al Qaeda, have gone as far as to have workshops and train members of their organizations on its use. While stressing the effectiveness of the technology, it’s important that DHS carry out commonsense threat assessments to determine how we can better combat this issue and ultimately safeguard our homeland.
 
“One of the bills we are marking up today, H.R.1736 is an important measure that would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct annual assessments on terrorism threats to the U.S. posed by terrorist organizations like ISIS and al Qaeda utilizing or attempting to utilize generative artificial intelligence applications. I think this is a commonsense bill and it’s important and timely given the ISIS inspired car-ramming terror attack we had just months ago in New Orleans, with the suspect not only being an American citizen but a former member of the military who was influenced and fell victim to online radicalization.”

On the “DHS Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program and Law Enforcement Support Act,” Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) said:
 
“Our national security relies on the ability to share the right information, with the right people, at the right time. Accomplishing this requires consistent collaboration among federal, state, local, tribal, territorial entities, as well as the private sector and international partners. For years, DHS has consistently struggled to share information effectively––necessitating legislative action to address the issue.”
 
“One way that we can do this is through H.R. 2212, the ‘DHS Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program and Law Enforcement Support Act’  It’s a critical step to address these gaps and improve coordination within DHS. The bill, which unanimously passed the House on a bipartisan basis, previously would codify DHS’s Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program to enhance needed interagency participation in the program.”
 
“DHS analysts within the department, intelligence components like Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Secret Service would work with other eligible components, and they would all be eligible to participate. As a result, this would further increase coordination and communication on border security, terrorism, and other threats to Homeland Security, which would in turn lead to a more complete picture of threats.”

On the “National Strategy for School Security Act of 2025,” Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) said:
 
“Over three years ago, we had the worst shooting in Texas history in Uvalde––in my district. At that time, we were scrambling…Since then, there was a critical incident review that took place. Multiple reports have indicated some of the things that could be fixed, but honestly, nothing has changed.” 
 
“The lack of coordination at the federal level has been highlighted as a major shortcoming in school security posture. My bill would direct the Department of Homeland Security to take into account the resources and findings of federal agencies related to school security and emergency preparedness. It’s no different than when a hurricane hits. When a hurricane hits, DHS sends FEMA, and it’s all hands on deck. A school shooting is no different than that. By submitting a national strategy, we update this annually to serve as a framework to secure elementary and secondary schools nationwide. From this, our school districts nationwide can better develop and improve their own emergency plans to keep our kids safe.”
 

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