Legislation to create a bipartisan legislative commission to review national counterterrorism policy amid domestic and international threats and against a dynamic backdrop of domestic challenges and global political, military and economic competitions was introduced on Wednesday by four House Democrats.
The National Commission on U.S. Counterterrorism Policy Act would require the commission to study the evolution of domestic and international terrorism threats to the U.S. since the 9/11 attacks, lessons learned, the objectives, priorities and activities of current counterterrorism efforts, emerging challenges to operations in areas where China, Iran and Russia may operate, the status of counterterrorism partnerships, recommendations and more.
The bill was introduced by Reps. Eliot Engel (N.Y.), chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Bennie Thompson (Miss.), chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, Ted Deutch, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism, and Max Rose (N.Y.), chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism.
“Nearly two decades after the September 11 attacks, the terrorist threats facing our country have evolved,” Engel said in a statement. “The time has come to take a hard look at our counterterrorism efforts in the context of the other national security threats faced by our country, ranging from climate change, to infectious disease, to growing challenges posed by other great powers.”
The commission would consist of 12 counterterrorism experts appointed by House and Senate leadership. It would also examine the impact of counterterrorism efforts on civil rights and liberties in the U.S. and internationally recognized human rights abroad.