{O/C} Swift action by the U.S. House of Representatives following the Buffalo massacre.
This as legislation to combat domestic terrorism cleared the first hurdle there.
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Democrats had their wits about them as they rushed to nip a repeat of the Buffalo massacre in the bud.
This, after the 222-203 vote approved the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act.
{Soundbite} Rep. BRADLEY SCHNEIDER, (D) Illinois: The rise of racially motivated extremism is a serious threat to Americans across the country. We can't stop the likes of Tucker Carlson (Fox News anchor) from spewing hateful, dangerous, replacement theory ideology across the airwaves. Congress hasn’t been able to ban the sale of assault weapons. The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act is what Congress can do to help prevent future Buffalo shootings.
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But getting Senate to pass it with Republican opposition remains an insuperable task.
Case in point was a similar measure in 2020 that was favoured by the Democrats but ended up languishing in the Senate.
New York's governor also reacted with a vengeance, bulking up the state's gun laws in addition to tracking the Buffalo shooter's videos online.
{Soundbite} KATHY HOCHUL, New York Governor: Today, I'll be signing an executive order requiring the state police to file an extreme risk order of protection under New York's Red Flag law when they believe that an individual is a threat to himself, herself or others. To investigate the social media platforms that broadcast this horrific attack.
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Under existing law, the three federal agencies are already tasking with investigating, preventing and prosecuting acts of domestic terrorism.
It's estimated that the bill would cost about 105 million U.S. dollars over five years, the bulk of which would go towards hiring staff.
Republicans pointed out that the bill doesn't encompass combating domestic terrorism involving far-left terror groups.
Homegrown terrorism, often perpetrated by White racists, has burgeoned over the past two decades since the 9/11 attacks.
The high-stakes Senate vote will take place later next week.
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