U.s. congressman Rodney davis proudly representing the 13th district of illinois

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) today released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 3654, the Combat Terrorist Use of Social Media Act:

“We need a comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIS and that includes combating their ability to recruit and radicalize followers online,” said Davis. “Terrorist groups are increasingly using social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to fundraise and encourage lone wolf attacks on free societies throughout the world. We need a strategy to battle them not only on the ground but online as well.”

The use of social media by terrorists to encourage and recruit individuals to commit acts of terrorism has increased in recent years. In fact, a Brookings Institution report found that at least 46,000 Twitter accounts were used by ISIS supporters between October and November of 2014 and nearly 20 percent of those accounts designated English as their primary language.

H.R. 3654 requires the president to report to Congress on the U.S. strategy to combat the use of social media by terrorists and terrorist organizations. The report must be presented within 90 days and must include the following:

• An evaluation of what role social media plays in radicalization in the U.S. and throughout the world;
• An analysis of how terrorists and terrorist organizations are using social media;
• A summary of the federal government’s efforts to disrupt and counter terrorists’ use of social media, an evaluation of the success of such efforts, and recommendations for improvement;
• An analysis of how social media is being used for counter-radicalization and counter-propaganda; and,
• An overview of social media training available to law enforcement and intelligence personnel, as well as recommendations for improving or expanding these training opportunities.

The House continues to pass measures to strengthen our national security and protect Americans here at home. Bills passed by the House to date include: H.R. 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act, H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Protection Act, and H.R. 4239, the Tracking Foreign Fighters in Terrorist Safe Havens Act.