MAJOR NON-NATO ALLY TERROR THREAT ASSESSMENT ACT

On 2026-07-13, Representative James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA-11) delivered a floor speech titled "MAJOR NON-NATO ALLY TERROR THREAT ASSESSMENT ACT" in the House.

MAJOR NON-NATO ALLY TERROR THREAT ASSESSMENT ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [House] [Pages H4396-H4398] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] MAJOR NON-NATO ALLY TERROR THREAT ASSESSMENT ACT Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8168) to require an assessment of terrorism threats to the United States posed by foreign terrorist organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists present in countries that are major non- NATO allies, and for other purposes. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 8168 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act''. SEC. 2. ASSESSMENT OF TERRORISM THREATS TO THE UNITED STATES BY FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS AND SPECIALLY DESIGNATED GLOBAL TERRORISTS PRESENT IN COUNTRIES THAT ARE MAJOR NON-NATO ALLIES. (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and biennially thereafter, the Secretary of [[Page H4397]] Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an assessment of terrorism threats to the United States posed by foreign terrorist organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists present in countries operating or designated as major non-NATO allies. (b) Elements.--Each assessment of terrorism threats required under subsection (a) shall include the following for each major non-NATO ally: (1) An identification of each foreign terrorist organization or Specially Designated Global Terrorist present in each such ally. (2) A description of all activities in which each such identified foreign terrorist organization or Specially Designated Global Terrorist is engaged within each such ally, including the extent to which the each such identified foreign terrorist organization or Specially Designated Global Terrorist is using artificial intelligence or critical and emerging technologies. (3) A description of efforts of the government of each such MNNA ally to disrupt and degrade the activities of each such identified foreign terrorist organization or Specially Designated Global Terrorist within such ally, including any cooperation with elements of the United States intelligence community. (4) An assessment of the capability of the Department of Homeland Security to identify, monitor, and mitigate terrorist threats to the United States by each such identified foreign terrorist organization or Specially Designated Global Terrorist present in each such MNNA ally. (5) An assessment of the capability of the Department of Homeland Security to prevent individuals who are members of any such identified foreign terrorist organization or Specially Designated Global Terrorist in each such MNNA ally from entering the United States. (6) An identification of any additional resources required to counter terror threats to the United States posed by each such identified foreign terrorist organization or Specially Designated Global Terrorist present in each such MNNA ally. (c) Form and Further Availability.--Each assessment of terrorism threats required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in classified form and be made available to every Member of Congress, upon request. (d) Congressional Briefing.--Upon submission of each assessment of terrorism threats required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide to the appropriate congressional committees a briefing on such assessment. (e) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate. (2) Artificial intelligence.--The term ``artificial intelligence'' has the meaning given such term in section 5002 of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (15 U.S.C. 9401). (3) Critical and emerging technologies.--The term ``critical and emerging technologies'' means those technologies listed in the February 2024 Critical and Emerging Technologies List Update issued by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), or any successor thereto. (4) Intelligence community.--The term ``intelligence community'' has the meaning given such term in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)). (5) Foreign terrorist organization.--The term ``foreign terrorist organization'' means an organization designated as a foreign terrorist organization pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1189). (6) Major non-nato ally.--The term ``major non-NATO ally'' has the meaning given such term in section 644 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2403). (7) Specially designated global terrorist.--The term ``specially designated global terrorist'' means individuals or organizations designated as a specially designated global terrorist pursuant Executive Order 13224 (entitled ``Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism''; September 23, 2001; 66 Fed. Reg. 49079). (8) Terrorism.--The term ``terrorism'' has the meaning given such term in section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101). The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Walkinshaw) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York. General Leave Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 8168. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from New York? There was no objection. Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8168, the Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act. The Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, to submit a report to Congress assessing terrorism threats from designated terrorist organizations operating in countries designated by the United States as a major non-NATO ally. Major non-NATO allies benefit from expedited procedures in the foreign military sales process, and this status also makes them desirable for foreign military financing. Major non-NATO allies are also eligible for enhanced defense research collaboration and the positioning of U.S. defense equipment. Over time, there has been inconsistent oversight of the major non- NATO allies program, and today there are situations where U.S. designated terrorist organizations are present or operating in countries that have also been designated major non-NATO allies. This legislation will strengthen oversight of the program to ensure the United States has an adequate threat picture when it comes to terrorist activity in designated major non-NATO allies. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Van Epps for his leadership and encourage my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8168, the Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act. This bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, to provide an assessment of the threats to the United States posed by foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists present in countries that the State Department designates as ``major non-NATO allies.'' The assessment required under the bill will give Congress a more comprehensive view of terrorist threats to the homeland, which will inform Congress of authorities and resources needed to combat those threats. Mr. Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Van Epps). Mr. VAN EPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 8168, the Major Non-NATO Ally Terror Threat Assessment Act. When the United States designates a nation as a major non-NATO ally, MNNA, it comes with security cooperation and possible trade deals for defense equipment. This is an important designation that our Nation does not grant lightly. However, we cannot ignore the fact that foreign terrorist organizations continue to operate in or around some MNNA countries, creating threats that could have serious consequences for U.S. national security. {time} 1650 For that reason, it is critical for Congress to have a full picture of the terrorist organizations that may be operating within our partner nations. That is why I introduced this legislation. My bill strengthens coordination between the Department of Homeland Security and Congress to better assess and support MNNA partners as they confront threats within their own borders. It requires the Department to provide Congress with a comprehensive assessment, identifying foreign terrorist organizations operating within MNNA countries, as well as each partner's capacity to counter those threats. These partnerships are important, but we must also protect our national security. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of this bill. [[Page H4398]] Mr. WALKINSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I cong

Referenced legislation: HR8168, HR8168