Murphy Terrorism Prevention and Response Bill passes US House

Focus on Congress

Bipartisan bill prepares first responders for coordinated terrorist attacks

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved legislation introduced by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.) and Dan Donovan (R-N.Y.) that would help keep communities safe from terrorist attacks. The Joint Counterterrorism Awareness Workshop Series Act of 2017 (H.R. 3284) authorizes funding for workshops that train federal, state and local first responders to prevent, prepare for, and respond to a coordinated terrorist attack.

The Joint Counterterrorism Awareness Workshop Series (JCTAWS) is conducted in cities across the country by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Counterterrorism Center, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Orlando hosted one of these workshops in October of 2014.

Rep. Stephanie Murphy

“As a Member of Congress representing central Florida, I know firsthand the difference that highly-skilled, well-prepared first responders can make during a crisis. During the 2016 Pulse nightclub terrorist attack, law enforcement officials, medical professionals and other first responders saved many lives. Joint Counterterrorism Awareness Workshops will help communities across the country establish effective policies and procedures to prevent, plan for, and respond to a coordinated terrorist attack. This bipartisan bill, which I am proud to co-lead with Reps. Fitzpatrick and Donovan, will help keep our communities safe,” said Murphy, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and formerly a national security specialist at the Department of Defense.

JCTAWS brings together a wide range of first responders, including law enforcement, fire departments, emergency medical services, and public health officials, as well as the private sector and non-governmental organizations. Since 2011, over 30 metropolitan areas have hosted these workshops, where cities test their current plans, policies, and procedures, while identifying security gaps and best practices. After the workshop, the host city, with its federal partners, develops a summary report with key findings and strategies to close the identified security gaps.

H.R. 3284 is the sixth bill or amendment that Rep. Murphy has authored or co-authored that has passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy represents Florida’s Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she serves on the House Armed Services Committee and Small Business Committee. The district includes all of Seminole County and much of northern Orange County, including downtown Orlando, Maitland, Winter Park, and the University of Central Florida.