Rep. McSally introduces legislation for better terror intelligence sharing

Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) has introduced legislation into the House of Representatives to improve local and federal national security preparedness with better information sharing on possible terrorist threats.

The bill, titled The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Support to Fusion Centers Act, comes on the heels of discussions McSally has held with security officials in Arizona and Washington, D.C. The bill would aim to implement recommendations from the security community that would enhance intelligence collaboration and threat awareness.

“This bill is the result of numerous meetings I’ve had with intelligence and law enforcement officials in Arizona and at the Department of Homeland Security,” McSally said. “It ensures intelligence centers across the country are adequately manned while providing local law enforcement members with the access they need to critical threat information.”

Threat analysis and information sharing centers– known as fusion centers– were established around the United States in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. These fusion centers are manned with local and federal law enforcement and intelligence personnel and help disseminate information about threats between local, state, and federal authorities.

The bill is cosponsored by Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence Chairman Peter King (R-NY).