WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Senate Democrats are pushing for an increase in funding for the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the heels of the weekend massacre at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., filed an amendment to an appropriations bill to fully fund the FBI and help prevent domestic terror attacks.
The amendment would provide an additional $190 million to the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal 2017.
Of the amount, $175 million is dedicated to the FBI's counterterrorism efforts and $15 million to active shooter training.
The amendment would raise funding for the FBI to $73 million above President Barack Obama's request and $24 million above the amount provided by House Republicans.
'We need to get the FBI the tools it needs to keep up with those trying to recruit Americans to extremist ideologies or spread messages of hate to inspire others,' Mikulski said.
'We also need our first responders on the front lines to be prepared to keep victims safe, get them out of danger, and get them the medical help if they need, should the unthinkable happens,' she added. 'That's what our amendment does.'
Nelson introduced separate legislation Wednesday designed help the FBI detect and prevent attacks such as the Orlando shooting before they happen.
The legislation would ensure any individual who has been investigated for possible ties to terrorism is entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
Additionally, the bill would require the NICS system to automatically notify the FBI if a background check is conducted for a prospective gun buyer who has been investigated for potential ties to terrorism.
'We're not saying: don't sell guns to someone just because they were investigated,' Nelson said. 'But having a system in place that alerts the FBI if someone they once investigated is suddenly trying to purchase multiple assault weapons is just common sense.'
Nelson introduced the legislation after it was revealed that the gunman responsible for the Orlando shooting was interviewed by the FBI at least three times.
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