House Committee on Homeland Security chair, Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, released this statement on the attack yesterday in Ottawa, Canada:
“The attack in Ottawa is yet another reminder that homegrown terrorism is a real threat not only to our country but to our allies as well. Whether these individuals train in Syria or Iraq and then return home, or are inspired and recruited over the internet while in their basements, their danger to society is the same. The United States must wage a robust effort here at home to combat violent Islamist extremism by working with local communities to intervene when we see signs of it, fighting against online Islamist propaganda, and providing ways to stop individuals lured into the ‘jihadi cool’ subculture before they act. My prayers go out to the family of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, and to our friends in Canada who were affected by yesterday’s shooting.”
