Congressman: Social media screening could have stopped bombings

Bombings in New Jersey and New York City might have been prevented had Homeland Security officials vetted social media accounts held by the perpetrator before he immigrated to the United States, according to a Republican congressman who has unsuccessfully pushed for legislation to require the screening.

“Terrorists are using the digital battlefield to their advantage, and we’re one step behind,” Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan said Monday, referring to Ahmad Khan Rahami, the 28-year-old man suspected of planting bombs in Manhattan and New Jersey.