A press release from Congressman Joe Walsh, a member of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee:

Congressman Joe Walsh Reacts to Attempted Islamic Terror Attack in Chicago

Saturday, prosecutors announced a terror suspect from Hillside, IL was arrested late Friday in Chicago.

The suspected left Villa Park with an undercover agent and fake explosives and attempted to detonate a bomb outside a bar in downtown Chicago.

A news release from the U.S. Attorney’s office stated the suspect

“expressed an interest in engaging in violent jihad, in either the United States or overseas.”

Congressman Walsh reacted in a statement,

Joe Walsh

“Fortunately, due to the great work of the FBI and law enforcement, a threat against Illinoisans and America was thwarted.

“We owe our law enforcement officers a debt of gratitude for their efforts and vigilance.

“As a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I have spoken about this threat, and this event is an alarming reminder on the threat of homegrown terror.

“However, my opponent, Tammy Duckworth continues to condemn my remarks for political gain at the expense of national security.”

“This is not a political issue,” Walsh continued.

“The issue of homegrown terror is an issue that Attorney General Eric Holder says keeps him up at night.

“I find it ironic that during the same time this attempted attack took place, Ms. Duckworth was trying to score political points during our joint appearance by criticizing my concerns about this very real threat.

“I challenge Ms. Duckworth to instead join me in urging our government to do more in addressing this issue and spend less time worrying about political correctness.”

Walsh concluded, “It’s my hope Ms. Duckworth will stop shamelessly exploiting my efforts to draw attention to this issue.

“We must continue to remember the vast majority of Muslims are a patriotic, peace-loving people.

“As a member of the Committee on Homeland Security, I vow to pursue and expose this radical strain of Islam.

“This issue is far too vital to our country to allow political correctness to prevent us from addressing this threat.”