New Delhi: Late Wednesday, the House passed the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act after a push from Democrats seeking to curb extreme domestic terrorism in the aftermath of the Buffalo shootings, the Associated Press reports. The bill passed with a vote of 222–203, almost along party lines—the only Republican who voted yes was Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill).
Under current law, three federal agencies already work to investigate, prevent and prosecute acts of domestic terrorism. Proponents of the bill say the Prevention Act would fill gaps in intelligence-sharing between the Justice Department, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI to respond to the threat of white extremist terrorism.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill will cost about $105 million over five years, with most of the money going toward hiring employees.
Senate Democrats are expected to bring the bill to a vote next week, but resistance from Republicans has made it more than likely a deadlock. GOP representatives allege that the bill does not emphasize tackling domestic terrorism perpetrated by far-right groups.
