TIM KAINE \WAstanaToN OFFICE: = United States Senate oaeaieatoeae WASHINGTON, DC 20510-4607 THE BUDGET February 13,2017 CCoMnarTE ON HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, The Honorable John Kelly Secretary United States Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C. 20528 Dear Secretary Kelly: Tam writing to express my opposition to the Administration's reported plan to rename U.S. Government countering violent extremism (CVE) programs to “Countering Radical Islamic Extremism.” I believe such a change would unnecessarily limit the scope and flexibility and effectiveness of these programs and would ‘undermine our long term national security interests As you are well aware, social isolation and marginalization are among the main drivers of recruitment and ‘engagement in extremist violence. These factors are not peculiar to any religion or geographic region, and U.S. Government programs attempting to counter violent extremism should be crafted with this fact in mind. As you stated in your pre-hearing questionnaire, “I think there are vulnerable individuals in every subcomponent of every population who are susceptible to a broad range of possible radicalization or perversions of thought or belief systems.” While I understand there is a desire by some in the Administration to reference “Radical Islamic Extremism,” I believe this approach is counter-productive and undermines our long-term security interests for two reasons. First, any organization that indiscriminately kills, tortures and fails to appreciate even the most basic ‘human rights cannot be associated with any religion, most especially Islam. Referring to these groups as. representing a sect of the Islamic faith provides an air of religious legitimacy that they clearly do not, deserve. Second, this policy will insult the vast majority of the 1.6 billion Muslims who agree that these extremist groups are not following in the Islamic faith. This will certainly sow trust between them and the Federal Government, and continue to give rise to the false narrative that Western Civilization is at war with Islam. Asa thoughtful national security leader in this administration, you have an appreciation for the importance of precise communication in guiding large organizations. Knowing the narratives our enemies wish to perpetuate, [ hope you will thoroughly contemplate the changes being proposed and whether they truly meet any national security interests. Sincerely, Tim Kaine Ce: Honorable Rex Tillerson Honorable James Mattis Honorable Wade Warren