Goodlatte, Jackson Lee, Ratcliffe, Conyers Applaud Passage of the No Fly for Foreign Fighters Act

Press Release

The House of Representatives 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 the authors of the bill and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) on House passage of this important legislation.

Crime Subcommittee Ranking Member Jackson Lee: "According to the Central Intelligence Agency, more than 30,000 foreign fighters from at least 100 different countries have traveled to Syria and Iraq to fight for ISIL since 2011. In the past 18 months, the number of foreign fighters traveling to Syria and Iraq has more than doubled. Specifically, H.R. 4240 directs the GAO to conduct an independent review of the operation and administration of the FBI-maintained TSDB. Within the first six months of 2015 alone, more than 7,000 foreign fighters have arrived in Syria and Iraq. Of those traveling to Syria and Iraq to fight for the Islamic State terrorist group, it is estimated at least 250 hold U.S. Citizenship. The accuracy of our terrorist screening tools is more critical now than ever before. 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: "The recent ISIS-led attacks in Brussels were a grave reminder of the serious threats posed by radical Islamist extremism. It's the federal government's job to protect Americans from such dangers, and stopping foreign fighters from entering our country is a key component of fulfilling this critical responsibility. I'm grateful that the No Fly for Foreign Fighters Act, which I co-introduced, passed the House today to help ensure the effectiveness of the measures currently in place to prevent foreign fighters from slipping through the cracks."

Ranking Member Conyers: "With the passage of this bill, Congress will--for the first time--require an independent review of the strengths and weaknesses of the Terrorist Screening Database. This legislation will help us to know that the watch list process works as intended. I am proud to support H.R. 4240, and I hope that the Senate will consider this important bill without delay."

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. This bill reaffirms our commitment to our nation's security, while upholding the constitutional values that make America unique in the world."