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Sen. Schumer Proposes $25,000 Reward For Social Media Terrorism Tips

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Sen. Charles Schumer is introducing legislation requiring a $25,000 reward for information generated through social media that helps thwart a terror attack.

The New York Democrat told The Associated Press the legislation will be introduced later this month. Schumer will formally announce the bill at a news conference Sunday.

"It's fair to say that social media has become ISIS' weapon of choice to recruit, plan, and attempt to execute terror attacked in the United States," he said. "The federal government has to do more to increase the number of public eyes on social media to prevent attacks."

He says the public should "say something if they see something, especially on their newsfeed.''

Schumer says current law does not specifically cover tips generated through social media. The proposed bill would require the Department of State to pay rewards of no less than $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest or conviction in a terror case.

The Department of State declined to comment.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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