H.R. 4066: Countering White Supremacist Extremism Act

The Countering White Supremacist Extremism Act is legislation aimed at enhancing the United States' response to threats posed by foreign violent white supremacist extremist organizations. Below is a summary of the key components of the bill:

Creation of a Threat Assessment

The bill mandates that the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must develop a comprehensive threat assessment. This assessment will focus specifically on identifying and understanding the threats that foreign violent white supremacist extremist organizations pose to the United States.

Coordination and Sharing of Information

In creating this threat assessment, the Under Secretary is required to work in collaboration with relevant federal partners. Once developed, the assessment will be shared with:

• State, local, and Tribal law enforcement officials, including those who are part of State, local, and regional fusion centers established under the DHS initiatives.
• Run online platforms to help identify content linked to foreign violent white supremacist extremist activities that may violate their terms of service, based on requests and consultations.

Content of the Threat Assessment

The threat assessment will include:

• An overview of symbols, flags, and references used by these organizations.
• Incorporation of elements from the Department of State's strategy for countering white identity terrorism globally.
• Coordination with the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties within the DHS.

Data Privacy Protections

The Under Secretary is also required to ensure that the threat assessment does not include any identifiable information about individuals or organizations that are participating in lawful political discourse protected by the U.S. Constitution. This aims to balance national security interests with constitutional rights.

Definitions

The bill defines key terms, including:

• Foreign Violent White Supremacist Extremist Organization: An organization based outside the U.S. that engages in unlawful acts of force or violence to promote the belief in the superiority of the white race over others.
• Online Platform: Internet-based services that store and process information, disseminating it to third parties based on requests from content providers.

This legislation emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing threats from foreign entities, focusing on coordination among various law enforcement bodies and ensuring the protection of individual rights during this process.

Relevant Companies

None found