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- Statements
- Congressional Survey on Hate Crimes
- Brian Babin
Response of Brian Babin (R-Texas)
The Questions
- Are hate crimes a problem in your state?
- Should Congress do something about hate crimes and white supremacist violence in your state? If so, what specifically?
The Response
1. "Hate crimes are a problem wherever they occur – including in Texas." 2. "Congress should work to enable state and local law enforcement to prevent the occurrence of violence through appropriate resources and support. Prevention is key in addressing violence - regardless of the identity of the perpetrator or target. We will never be successful in finding a legislative solution to end evil, but we can work to ensure that our local communities possess the tools needed to identify and de-escalate those on a pathway to violence." Can you explain the factors that would go into threat assessment in your H.R.838, or Threat Assessment, Prevention, and Safety Act of 2019? Would a person's inclination toward hate or previous conviction of a hate crime be included? "The TAPS Act is interested in identifying patterns of concerning behavior and compassionately de-escalating those who are on a pathway to violence. What's the behavioral difference between the horrific mass shootings in Santa Fe, Las Vegas, El Paso, Orlando, Virginia Tech, or Parkland? Nothing. Threat assessment and management is universal. It doesn't discriminate for or against any single person. It applies to preventing all targeted violence, regardless of motive and will save lives."
- Date Aug. 29, 2019
- Reporter Taylor Goldenstein of Houston Chronicle