House Judiciary Committee Approves No Fly for Foreign Fighters Act

Washington, D.C.  – The House Judiciary Committee today approved by voice vote the No Fly for Foreign Fighters Act (H.R. 4240) to ensure the terrorist watchlist is operating efficiently and effectively in light of evolving threats from ISIS. This legislation, authored by Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Congressman John Ratcliffe (R-Texas), and Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.), requires an independent review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) of the federal government’s terrorist watchlist, officially known as the Terrorist Screening Database, to examine whether past weaknesses have been addressed and whether additional changes are needed. After the attempted Christmas Day bombing in 2009 and the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, the terrorist watchlist processing was improved but no evaluation has been conducted to assess these improvements. Additionally, the United States faces new threats as tens of thousands of foreign fighters, including thousands from Western countries, have traveled to Syria and Iraq to enlist with ISIS and other terrorist groups. Below are statements from Crime Subcommittee Ranking Member Jackson Lee, Congressman Ratcliffe, Ranking Member Conyers, and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), praising today’s Committee approval of this legislation. Crime Subcommittee Ranking Member Jackson Lee: “In light of recent events in Paris and Mali there is anxiety across our country.  I understand that anxiety.  However, we must guard against actions that are misdirected and counterproductive. Today we marked up my bill HR 4240, the No Fly for Foreign Fighters Act of 2015. This bipartisan bill will require an independent review of the operation and administration of the Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB) maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and subsets of the TSDB.  By ensuring the mechanisms that keep foreign fighters and terrorists from traveling to America are strong and sound, the No Fly for Foreign Fighters Act will enhance America’s security and defenses.” Congressman Ratcliffe: “Ensuring effective safety and security measures is an essential step in protecting the American people from terrorist threats, and this involves a thorough assessment of the measures already in place to prevent foreign fighters from entering our country. I’m pleased to co-introduce the No Fly For Foreign Fighters Act, which will help keep our nation secure by mandating an independent audit of the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Database for potential weaknesses and vulnerabilities that could put our national security at risk. With all of the valuable tools and technologies available today, we must ensure that our own security information is handled in a timely, comprehensive manner that allows no room for foreign fighters to slip through the cracks.” Ranking Member Conyers: “HR 4240, the No Fly for Foreign Fighters Act, mandates an independent audit of the Terrorist Screening Database—our central holdings on known and suspected terrorists around the world.  Ensuring the completeness and accuracy of this database is one of the highest priorities for both Congress and the Administration.  This legislation will help us to measure our success in this important effort.” Chairman Goodlatte: “Terrorists continue to adapt and evolve in order to carry out their heinous plots and we must ensure our intelligence-gathering techniques and programs keep pace with these threats. I thank Congresswoman Jackson Lee, Congressman Ratcliffe, and Ranking Member Conyers for their legislation to examine the terrorist watchlist so that we ensure it is working effectively and efficiently in today’s age and determine how it impacts Americans’ privacy and due process. ISIS has made clear that they want to harm Americans and destroy our way of life and we must ensure that they are not able to travel to U.S. soil.”