Congressman Evans’ Bipartisan Bills Advance in House Committees

Congressman Gabe Evans celebrated two key wins as two of his bills passed important milestones in the U.S. House. The Law Enforcement Support and Counter Transnational Repression Accountability Act (H.R. 1690) passed through the Homeland Security Committee, and The Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act (H.R. 1681) cleared the Natural Resources Committee. Both bills now head to the House floor. 

These bills are examples of Congressman Evans’ effort and dedication to working with his colleagues across the aisle to produce bipartisan solutions to problems facing the Coloradans. 

On the passing of Law Enforcement Support and Counter Transnational Repression Act:

“The Law Enforcement Support and Counter Transnational Repression Act will empower victims to step out of the shadows, build community relationships with law enforcement and ultimately protect our immigrant communities by giving them a chance to pursue the American Dream without fear of retaliation from the people and places they've fled,” said Congressman Gabe Evans. 

“Countering transnational repression operations on U.S. soil is critical to defending our sovereignty. I am proud to help advance Representative Evans’ legislation to ensure state and local law enforcement have the tools they need to be an effective partner in eradicating attempts by foreign actors to infringe on our freedoms,” said Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green. “This bipartisan bill also provides education and support to victims who have been harassed or threatened by our adversaries, like the Chinese Communist Party and Iran, on U.S. soil. I look forward to working with Representative Evans and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to swiftly send this bill to the Senate to counter this malicious activity in our communities.”

On the passing of The Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act:

“In a state like Colorado, where so much of our land is federally managed, permitting delays shouldn’t be what holds rural communities back from reliable internet access,” said Congressman Gabe Evans. “The Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act cuts red tape so broadband providers can get to work—and families, farmers, and small businesses can get connected faster.”

“The U.S. government is not often known for high-speed rollouts of new technology. Fortunately, Congressman Evans’ legislation will work to fast-track rural broadband deployment on federal lands. Thanks to his hard work on this issue, we can look forward to increased efficiency in this vital infrastructure,” said Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman.

Background

The Law Enforcement Support and Counter Transnational Repression Act:

• Instructs the Department of Homeland Security to create a public service announcement campaign to educate the public on the growing threat of transnational repression, 

• Expands access to the FBI’s transnational repression hotlines for victims in Diaspora Communities. 

• It equips state and local law enforcement officials with the necessary tools to prosecute perpetrators and stop the United States biggest adversaries from harming people on U.S. soil with attempts to suppress free speech and diminish the rule of law. 

The Expediting Federal Broadband Deployment Reviews Act:

• Streamlines the permitting process for broadband projects on federally managed lands.

• Directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NITA) to lead an interagency strike force to improve coordination, set review goals, and hold agencies accountable.

• Helps broadband providers reach rural and underserved communities—especially in states like Colorado with large amounts of federal land.