Response of Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.)

“’E pluribus unum’ is the motto that adorns our nation’s seal. It reminds us that while we may all come from many different states and have different backgrounds, we are one nation. Violent attacks by self-proclaimed white nationalists threaten our country, our communities, and the values that we hold dear as Americans. As we saw this weekend, the hatred that these individuals harbor knows no bounds. The gunman in Saturday’s shooting in El Paso reportedly traveled ten hours to massacre innocent people, simply because of their race or status as immigrants. When I served as the top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I fought for funding to provide local communities with resources to stop online radicalization, and counter violent extremism here at home. This funding is an important tool to help communities and law enforcement identify potential or evolving threats—including those susceptible to radicalization by white nationalist and other hate groups—and intervene before these individuals bring harm to innocent Americans. But instead of expanding that important program, the Trump Administration has sought to reduce staff and slash funding. That is unacceptable and leaves us vulnerable to the all too real threat of homegrown extremism that comes from within our borders.”