Hoyer: Visa Waiver Bill Will Protect Americans from the Threat of Terror While Remaining True to American Principles and Ideals

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) spoke on the House Floor today in support of bipartisan legislation he negotiated with Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, along with Reps. Zoe Lofgren and Bennie Thompson, to improve the Visa Waiver Program. Below is a transcript of his remarks and a link to the video:

Click here to watch the video.

“I thank the gentlelady for yielding, and I rise in support of this legislation. I want to thank the Ranking Member [of the Homeland Security Committee], Bennie Thompson, [Rep. Zoe] Lofgren, who worked very hard on this, and Democrats on the Homeland Security Committee and on the Immigration Policy and Enforcement Judiciary Subcommittee for their hard work to ensure that this bill will protect Americans from the threat of terror while we remain true to our highest principles and ideals.

“House Democrats and House Republicans have no greater priority than keeping Americans safe. That is not a partisan issue nor is it a partisan difference. Many Americans are frustrated with the pace of progress against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. I want to see the Administration and Congress working together to protect our nation. The reforms in this bill are an excellent start.

“What we have before us today, Mr. Speaker, is an example of what we can achieve when both sides work together to craft responsible reforms in a spirit of unity and common purpose, which is in the face of the threats we challenge, we ought to summon. I want to thank Majority Leader McCarthy for working with me and our side of the aisle, and I want to thank those on the Republican side of the aisle for working together to get this bill done.

“The visa waiver program has long been a tool to promote business ties and tourism, both of which are vital to our economy. We cannot nor should we simply shut our doors to the world if we want to continue to lead the world. This legislation will make it easier for law enforcement to vet those visitors coming from visa waiver countries, such as in Europe, to ensure that we’re not admitting those who have traveled to places like Iraq or Syria [to] link up with ISIS.

“This is now the third major bipartisan piece of legislation to come to the Floor in the past two weeks, after the highway bill, which included a provision to reopen the Export-Import Bank, and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act reauthorization. I hope, and I think the American people would expect, again in the light of the challenges that confront us, that we can build on this progress and complete a bipartisan agreement to keep government open before the week is done.

“I want to thank once more Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren, who knows so much about this issue and has been so faithful in her attention to both our values and the protection of the American people. And Bennie Thompson as well, the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee on our side of the aisle. I also want to thank the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee for his leadership on this issue, as well as all of those who have worked on a number of issues, and this will not be the last word but it is a good word, and I urge my colleagues to support it, and I thank the gentlelady for yielding the time.”