North Carolina leaders respond to terror attacks in Brussels

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - As scenes of terror spread around the globe Tuesday, the attacks in Brussels struck a nerve with Charlotte’s Congressional delegation.

Rep. Richard Hudson, R-Concord, said he was appalled to hear the news but unfortunately not surprised.

“It’s a reminder to us that while some in this country may think we’re not at war with the terrorists, the terrorists think they’re at war with us and we’ve got to remain vigilant,” Hudson said.

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., was actually in Europe when the explosions rocked Belgium. His staff said he was part of a delegation visiting Poland but spent much of the day meeting with intelligence officials about the attacks.

Burr, who is chairman of the powerful U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, issued a statement saying “our government has offered robust support to our partners in Belgium and I will continue to track the events closely as they unfold.”

Fellow Republican Sen. Thom Tillis was in the Greensboro area Tuesday but told Eyewitness News by phone that the attacks were cowardly.

“All this does is steel our resolve, Republicans and Democrats, that those folks need to be found, captured or killed because they represent a grave threat to the nation,” Tillis said.

Many question remain about the Brussels attacks, especially since Belgium was already on high alert after the capture of a key player in last year’s attacks in Paris.

Rep. Robert Pittenger, R-Ninth District, said the U.S. must continue to develop better intelligence around the world.

“It’s being able to identify, with accurate data, what they’re planning, what they’re trying to do,” Pittenger said. “That’s the only way to prevent this.”