Rep. Stephen LynchVerified account

Today's hearing will focus on how the U.S. can counter the plunder and sale of priceless cultural antiquities by the #IslamicState.

To cut off #terroristfinancing, we need better information sharing between government agencies, between countries, & with the private sector

We also need to be able to track the true owners of property whether that property is an ancient artifact or a high-rise apartment building.

We need to cut off trade routes that terrorist organizations use to funnel illicit goods.

We need a network of trade transparency units for proper customs enforcement.

The same strategies we need to combat antiquities trafficking can be used in our broader strategy to combat the #IslamicState.

Currently, there is ample opportunity for terrorist groups to exploit these routes with low risk of being caught. This is not good.

We need to do better job policing routes so #IslamicState can no longer smuggle antiquities & other contraband out of territory it controls