CASTRO STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF ENHANCED SECURITY MEASURES FOR THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees, released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act:
"To fulfill its responsibility to keep the American people safe, Congress must diligently update our nation's polices that affect security here at home. As the tragic San Bernardino attack demonstrated, increased vigilance is needed to protect U.S. communities. Today I joined my colleagues in the House to pass legislation that addresses potential vulnerabilities in our current Visa Waiver Program and helps prevent individuals who pose a threat to our safety from entering our borders. By strengthening our passport requirements and increasing information sharing with other Visa Waiver Program countries, we're making it more difficult for would-be terrorists to gain entry to the United States. This legislation is an important component of our nation's effort to combat terrorism and protect Americans."
H.R. 158 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 407 to 19.
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