WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), questioned terrorism, international security, and violent extremism experts on the alarming rise of domestic terrorism in the United States. During the hearing, Rosen asked the panel of experts about the current funding formula for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) program as it relates to protecting Las Vegas and its critical infrastructure from the threat of terrorism and protecting all Nevadans from the recent rise in mass violence.
“As we approach the two-year anniversary of the 1 October shooting in Las Vegas… the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history, we in Nevada are reminded not only of the pain our community has felt, but also the threat posed by mass violence is present now and – we hope not, but possibly – in the future,” said Senator Rosen. “Despite this, and despite the fact that Las Vegas had more visitors last year than any other year in history, the Department of Homeland Security’s principal program for funding urban security — the Urban Area Security Initiative, UASI — does not take into account the unique challenges faced by a city like Las Vegas.”
“How should we reevaluate what constitutes a possible domestic terrorist target, and how should we rethink our definition of critical infrastructure as the threat of terrorism evolves?” asked Senator Rosen.
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