SENATOR COLLINS' REACTION TO NEWS OF SUICIDE BOMB PLOT TARGETING U.S. CAPITOL
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, the Ranking Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, issued the following reaction the news that a man was arrested plotting to carry out a suicide attack on the U.S. Capitol.
"I have been in contact with the FBI about the arrest of Amine El Khalifi. The brazen nature of this plot - targeting the U.S. Capitol building with the aim of killing innocent people and desecrating a symbol of our democracy -- is disturbing.
"While we are still learning details, this plot appears to be yet another example of radicalized extremists attempting to attack Americans from within our borders.
"I am alarmed at the growth of homegrown terrorist plots. In recent years, we have seen a sharp escalation in the number of homegrown plots. The Congressional Research Service has reported that, between May 2009 and February 9, 2012, arrests were made in connection with 36 'homegrown' plots by American citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States. By comparison, in the more than seven years from September 11, 2001, through May 2009, there were only 21 such plots.
"Today's arrest is a reminder that we must redouble our efforts to confront the threat posed by violent Islamist extremism, while making the clear distinction between a major religion followed by millions of law abiding Americans and a twisted ideology."
"I have been in contact with the FBI about the arrest of Amine El Khalifi. The brazen nature of this plot - targeting the U.S. Capitol building with the aim of killing innocent people and desecrating a symbol of our democracy -- is disturbing.
"While we are still learning details, this plot appears to be yet another example of radicalized extremists attempting to attack Americans from within our borders.
"I am alarmed at the growth of homegrown terrorist plots. In recent years, we have seen a sharp escalation in the number of homegrown plots. The Congressional Research Service has reported that, between May 2009 and February 9, 2012, arrests were made in connection with 36 'homegrown' plots by American citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States. By comparison, in the more than seven years from September 11, 2001, through May 2009, there were only 21 such plots.
"Today's arrest is a reminder that we must redouble our efforts to confront the threat posed by violent Islamist extremism, while making the clear distinction between a major religion followed by millions of law abiding Americans and a twisted ideology."
