House Fails to Pass Active Shooter Alert Act
The House voted 259-162 Wednesday for the Active Shooter Alert Act (HR-6538), short of the two-thirds majority of present lawmakers needed to pass the measure under suspension of the rules. HR-6538 would direct DOJ to create a national active shooter…
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alert system. The measure would direct DOJ to coordinate with the FCC, Transportation Department and FEMA to use the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System to issue active shooter alerts (see 2206210048). HR-6538 drew support from 215 Democrats and 44 Republicans, including House Commerce Committee ranking member Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash. The chamber "will take up this legislation again and pass it -- making clear that Democrats are on the side of protecting our families and supporting our courageous first responders," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. The bill "would help law enforcement send out AMBER-style alerts when a gunman opens fire," ensuring "passersby do not unknowingly walk into a dangerous area." House Republicans "overwhelming and inexplicably voted to oppose the needs of law enforcement heroes and to keep this crucial, life-saving information away from our communities,” Pelosi said.