Peters Joins Colleagues in Call for Hearing on Domestic Violent Extremism

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Gary Peters and his colleagues on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee sent a letter to Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) asking for a hearing on violent white supremacism following the attack in Charlottesville that killed one woman and injured many others.

“We are writing to request that the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hold a hearing on violent white supremacism and other domestic violent extremism,” wrote the Senators. “It is important for the Committee to examine the root causes that fuel terrorism in order to understand the threats that we face. We therefore urge you to hold a hearing investigating the root causes behind violent white supremacism in the United States.” 

Peters was joined in sending the letter by U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Tom Carper (D-DE), Jon Tester (D-MO), Heidi Heitkamp of (D-ND), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Kamala Harris (D-CA).

Recently, Republican Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-49) called for a House Judiciary Committee hearing on white supremacy in the United States, and the House Homeland Security Committee Democrats have also called for a hearing on the topic.

The text of the letter is copied below and available here.

August 17, 2017

The Honorable Ron Johnson

Chairman

Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs

U.S. Senate

340 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Mr. Chairman:

We are writing to request that the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hold a hearing on violent white supremacism and other domestic violent extremism. 

On Saturday, August 12, 2017, a woman was killed and many people were injured in Charlottesville, Virginia, when the alleged perpetrator, reportedly a white supremacist, intentionally rammed his car into a crowd of people.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions has called that attack an act of terrorism. 

As you have said, it is important for the Committee to examine the root causes that fuel terrorism in order to understand the threats that we face. We therefore urge you to hold a hearing investigating the root causes behind violent white supremacism in the United States.  

The Committee is charged with investigating “aspects of crime and lawlessness within the United States, which have an impact upon or affect the national health, welfare, and safety.” We have an obligation to ensure that the federal government is ready and able to combat and defeat terrorism of all types and keep our country safe. 

Thank you for your consideration of our request.