Democratic U.S. Reps. Brian Higgins and Kathy Hochul issued a joint statement this afternoon calling on the House Homeland Security Committee to investigate Hezbollah’s influence in North America.

The call for the hearing from the western New York Democrats comes as the members say the militant Islamic group’s influence in Toronto, Canada, has increased.

“The issues brought to light during a recent hearing raises serious concerns about potential threats to America including new evidence of infiltration dangerously close to home,” Higgins said in a statement. “We take this information very seriously and are seeking further investigation into this matter including details related to ongoing measures to protect our community and country.”

Hochul, in a statement, said there was a direct concern for western New York residents, given their proximity to the Canadian border.

“The safety and security of Western New Yorkers is my top priority,” said Congresswoman Hochul. “Having a branch of a known terrorist organization in 15 U.S. cities and in Toronto is a cause of major concern; therefore we are requesting a full briefing from our law enforcement community on the nature of the threat and what is being done to counter it.”

Both lawmakers sent a letter U.S. Rep. Pete King of Long Island, the committee chairman, calling for the hearing.

King, as folks will recall, led controversial hearings into the influence of radical Islam in the United States. The hearings were derided by some for persecuting a religious minority.

07-18-11 Hezbollah Letter to CHS Chairs

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