NASHVILLE - In response to Sunday's mass shooting in Orlando, the U.S. House on Thursday passed a package of three previously approved bills, including one sponsored by Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., which are aimed at keeping terrorists from radicalizing Americans.
"The focus of all three bills is to combat radical Islamism right here in the United States" said Fleischmann, who called his measure a "messaging bill" after the House's 402-15 vote.
The bills, including Fleischmann's, had previously been approved individually, but the move to package them into one measure - the Countering Terrorist Radicalization Act - is an effort to speed Senate action following the deadly massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando.
While the House vote was bipartisan, Congressional Democrats continue to push majority Republicans in both the House and Senate for stricter gun control measures.
In an earlier floor speech, Fleischmann cited Chattanooga's own deadly experience with someone who had been radicalized by Islamist terror groups through the internet and social media.
"It's hard to believe that almost a year has passed since the horrific shootings at two military installations in Chattanooga, Tenn., my hometown and the town I proudly represent," Fleischmann said.
Recalling the five service members killed by 24-year-old Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez on July 16, Fleischmann said his own Combating Terrorist Recruitment Act of 2016, which first passed by the House on April 26, came about as a result of FBI Director James Comey's conclusion that the shootings "were motivated by foreign terrorist organization propaganda."
"We've seen this pattern repeat in the evil attack in Orlando as well as the attacks in San Bernardino, Paris and Brussels," Fleischmann said. "We need to use every tool in our tool box to combat Islamic extremism."
The congressman said his bill, based on bipartisan recommendations by a congressional task force, is "specifically designed to counter terrorist and foreign fighter travel."
Foreign terrorist organizations like the Islamic State are "actively recruiting in our country at an alarming rate," Fleischmann added.
His legislation, HR 4820, directs the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security to "incorporate, to the extent practicable, into Department of Homeland Security efforts to combat terrorist recruitment and communications the public testimonials of former violent extremists or their associates, including friends and family."
Those efforts may include "counter-messaging of foreign terrorist organization communications and narratives" as well as "related community engagement and public education efforts."
The two other measures now getting bundled along with Fleischmann's into the Countering Terrorist Radicalization Act are the ALERT Act of 2016 and the Counter-terrorism Advisory Board of 2016.
U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga., is sponsor of the Amplifying Local Efforts to Root out Terrorism (ALERT) Act, which allows federal law enforcement to train and work closely with state and local law enforcement in using the most effective tactics and methods to counter terrorism.
After the vote, Fleischmann said the House is hopeful senators will act soon on the bills.
"In light of the horrific attack in Orlando and the clear results from that, the Senate now seems poised to react now in a more quick fashion, and [House leaders] thought it would be better if we rebundled the three bills," he said.
In the early morning hours Thursday, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and fellow Democrats ended a nearly 15-hour filibuster after GOP Senate leaders reportedly agreed to allow votes on two proposed gun control measures.
NBC News reported Murphy saying a compromise had been reached with votes now expected on whether to ban people on the government's terrorist watch list from obtaining gun licenses and whether to expand background checks to gun shows and internet sales.
"We did not have that commitment when we started today," Murphy said.
Fleischmann said he spoke earlier today with several senators.
"It looks like they are debating a certain amendment, which I have yet to see but will potentially affect the ability of some people on these lists to obtain firearms," he said. "It's my understanding that there are several amendments - both Democratic and Republican - that they're looking at.
"Being the great deliberative body that they [senators] are, they will probably continue that debate next week and maybe produce something," Fleischmann added.
Contact staff writer Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550. Follow on Twitter @AndySher1.
