Gonzales: "My bill takes a very important step to fill that gap and ensure schools of all shapes and sizes can access best practices to create a safe campus environment,”
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tony Gonzales’ (TX-23) legislation, the National Strategy for School Security Act, was passed out of the House Homeland Security Committee. Committee passage is the final step required before a bill is brought to the full U.S. House of Representatives for a vote. The National Strategy for School Security Act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a comprehensive, federal framework for school campuses across the nation to improve their security posture against threats of targeted violence. This national strategy must identify specific school security vulnerabilities and outline all existing recommendations, funding, and programs that are available to overcome these threats.
“The harsh reality is that our schools have become soft targets for twisted individuals to commit despicable acts of violence. To counter these threats, school campuses across America must have access to the very best resources and information available to prevent and respond to potential attacks. Unfortunately, a comprehensive, federal framework on school security does not exist, and this puts a huge burden on our local schools to fend for themselves, particularly in rural and underserved areas. We cannot defeat evil if we do not have a strategy. My bill takes a very important step to fill that gap and ensure schools of all shapes and sizes can access best practices to create a safe campus environment,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales.
To view Congressman Gonzales' video remarks during today’s House Homeland Security Committee markup, click here.
Background:
Congressman Tony Gonzales is the founder and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan School Safety and Security Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also serves as a Congressional Co-Chair of Camila and Matthew McConaughey’s Greenlights Grants Initiative Advisory Board. The Greenlights Grant Initiative helps connect school districts with grant-writing services to increase the likelihood of being awarded grant funding for school safety purposes. Through Congressman Gonzales’ seat on the House Appropriations Committee, he has secured over $20 million in funding to improve school security, mental health services, and emergency response capabilities in Uvalde and across South and West Texas.
