Support the Domestic and International Terrorism Act (DATA Act) H.R. 3106

View this letter as a PDF here. 

September 26, 2019

Dear Representative:

On behalf of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition of more than 200 national organizations committed to promoting and protecting the civil and human rights of all persons in the United States, we urge you to support the Domestic and International Terrorism Act (DATA Act) (H.R.3106).

Congress should use its oversight and appropriations powers to demand that federal agencies make public how it is using its resources to fight white supremacist violence. Congress must pass pertinent legislation like the DATA Act to strengthen laws related to hate violence in this country. The DATA Act will provide Congress information about the federal government’s approach to counterterrorism, including data on investigations and prosecutions.

We support the DATA Act because it promotes increased oversight of federal counterterrorism activities without creating enhanced authorities or resources like new offices.

The most recent data from the FBI documented that hate crimes against African Americans, Latinos, the LGBTQ community, Native Americans, Jews, and Muslims all increased in 2017. Through the DATA Act, Congress has devised ways to improve federal and state responses to hate violence, including how to address FBI Hate Crime Statistics Act underreporting. The DATA Act comes at a crucial time, when too many people in this country feel unwelcome, unsafe, and marginalized due to acts of terror. There is little question that violence committed against individuals because of their race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, disability, or sexual orientation remains a serious problem in America. The DATA Act will study these current trends with the intention of combatting hate.

The Leadership Conference applauds Chairman Thompson for placing this key legislation on the suspension calendar for a House vote. The DATA Act will assist Congress in its efforts to elevate the fight against white supremacy and end a climate in which individual perpetrators feel emboldened to act. If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Lawrence, at [email protected] or 202-263-2853.

Sincerely,

Vanita Gupta
President & CEO