House Judiciary Committee Approves Bill Preventing Libyans from Training as Pilots and Nuclear Scientists In the US

Press Release

The House Judiciary Committee today approved by a vote of 21-11 the Protecting the Homeland Act (H.R. 5401), a bill authored by Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), and Oversight and Government Reform National Security Subcommittee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), to stop the Obama Administration from lifting a 30-year prohibition on Libyans coming to the U.S. to attend flight school, to work in aviation maintenance or flight operations, or to study or seek training in nuclear science. In July, the Office of Management and Budget approved a final regulation to lift this decades-old policy. Once Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson signs this regulation, it will become effective unless further action is taken.

The Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA), which represents 51,000 pilots who fly for 31 airlines in the U.S. and Canada, today expressed strong support for H.R. 5401. In their letter to Chairman Goodlatte, Captain Lee Moak notes the dangerous conditions in Libya and states that "given the political instability in Libya and the transitory nature of the government, ALPA is concerned that information relevant to a background check on Libyan nationals would be unreliable if not entirely unavailable."

Subcommittee Chairman Gowdy, Chairman Goodlatte, and Congressman Chaffetz released the statements below praising today's approval of this legislation by the House Judiciary Committee.

Subcommittee Chairman Gowdy: "The chief responsibility of government is the security of its people, and as those entrusted to govern, we must be vigilant in fulfilling this duty. Yet, the Administration has not been clear as to why repealing this longstanding rule now, while the situation in Libya is more uncertain and dangerous, will benefit our national security. I am pleased the committee passed our bill, the Protecting the Homeland Act, to stop this policy reversal."

Chairman Goodlatte: "Given the ongoing terrorist activity in Libya, it is unconscionable that the Obama Administration is carelessly forging ahead with its plan to allow Libyans to attend flight school or study nuclear science in the United States. The Obama Administration justifies its plan by claiming that the United States' relationship with Libya has "normalized,' but it is anything but normal. This summer, Americans working at the U.S. embassy in Tripoli were evacuated due to rival rebel groups battling each other for control of the area. And less than two years ago, the U.S. consulate in Benghazi was attacked by terrorists, leaving four Americans dead.

"Lifting this longstanding ban is not in the best interest of the American people and needlessly places our country at risk. I am pleased that the House Judiciary Committee today approved the Protecting the Homeland Act to stop President Obama from implementing this foolish and dangerous plan so that we protect Americans and our national security from threats in Libya."

Congressman Chaffetz: "The Obama Administration continues to turn a blind eye to the current situation in Libya. The country is far from normal and remains vulnerable to unchecked terrorist activity. Lifting a decades-old security ban on a country challenged by instability threatens the safety of both countries. The Protecting the Homeland Act will stop the Administration from carelessly lifting this ban. I encourage my colleagues in the House and Senate to swiftly pass this legislation."

Background: The prohibition on Libyans from studying nuclear science or training as pilots in the United States was originally put in place in the 1980s after the wave of terrorist incidents involving Libyans. Not even two years after the U.S. consulate in Benghazi was attacked, which resulted in the deaths of four Americans, the Obama Administration justifies lifting this ban by claiming the United States' relationship with Libya has "normalized." However, the terror threat continues and numerous news reports document recent terror-related activities coming from Libya. Recently, the employees at the U.S. embassy in Tripoli were evacuated due to violence between rival militias near the facility. Since then, many foreign governments have closed their embassies in Libya and evacuated staff as the violence has spread throughout the country.

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