Takai Supports Bipartisan Visa Waiver Program Bill

Statement

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act of 2015. The bill passed 407-19. Takai returned to vote in favor of the bill.

"In passing this legislation, Congress supports a moderate strategy to tighten the visa waiver program for applicants who have visited countries that are state-sponsors of terrorism and have known ties to ISIL. I believe that working in a bipartisan fashion to strengthen the security of our nation is the best way to keep us safe at home. Our nation must reject urges to broadly categorize refugees and immigrants in the same cast as Islamic extremists. People in Hawaii remember all too clearly the way that our nation reacted to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II, and we must resist repeating past mistakes that we now look back on with shame," Takai said.

The Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act of 2015 halts the United States Visa Waiver Program for citizens of the 38 participating countries who have traveled to Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, or Sudan in the past 5 years. These individuals still may enter the United States through applying for a travel visa prior to arrival, providing they pass the customs screening process. The bill now heads to the Senate for a vote.

"In his Sunday night address, President Obama laid out a strategy for combatting ISIL, and called on Congress to bring a specific authorization for this strategy to the floor. Yet, so far, Congress has remained on the sidelines, and has allowed the Administration to rely on an outdated, carte blanche strategy to conduct operations with more than 3,500 troops in Iraq and Syria. The President delivered a proposal earlier this year for Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) for the conflict against the Islamic State, and Congress refused to act on it. The events of recent weeks demonstrate that Congress can no longer ignore this threat. Whether we support this strategy or not, we have a responsibility as an elected body to represent our constituents and let them be heard on this issue. I urge the leadership of the House to bring an AUMF to debate on the floor as quickly as possible," Takai said.

Upon his return, Takai also signed onto a discharge petition to bring H.R. 1076, the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015 to the floor for a vote. Should the petition reach the required 218 signatories, the bill is brought to the floor for a vote. The legislation would close the loophole that allows individuals placed on the no-fly list to purchase guns.

"There are commonsense solutions to the challenges we face today, just like there have been in the past that our nation has emerged stronger from. We can tighten gun laws, pass sensible immigration and security reform, and debate the use of our military in a full and transparent manner in Congress. This is how our government was designed to work, and how those who elected us expect it to function," Takai said.

Takai returns to the office after being away for a month. He now begins chemotherapy treatments for the next couple of months. During this time, Takai will continue to recuperate in Washington, D.C.

"I want to thank the many people who sent well wishes and prayers my way. Your continued support and good thoughts are appreciated. It has been a pretty difficult few months, but I'm thankful for all the awesome doctors and nurses who have helped me through this," Takai said.

Although Takai is now back to work on a limited basis, he and his family continue to ask for privacy.

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