House Passes Yoho Anti-Terrorism Bill

Press Release

Congressman Ted S. Yoho's (R-FL-03) bill, the State Sponsors of Terrorism Review Enhancement Act (H.R. 5484), passed the House. This anti-terrorism bill will quadruple the time - from 6 to 24 months - a designated country must refrain from sponsoring terrorism, before a President, regardless of party, can remove it from the sponsor list. The bill also increases congressional oversight by doubling the time Congress has to review the President's proposed removal--from 45 to 90 days. Congressman Yoho released the following statement following the vote:

"Today, Congress sent a message to supporters of terrorism, if you engage in terrorist activity or are a state sponsor of terror; you will be held accountable and labeled a pariah in the world community. No nation that supports the murder of innocents should be delisted for politically motivated reasons--as was the case with North Korea and Cuba. My bill will protect against such egregious actions.

"My bill will establish a uniform process through which Congress can disapprove of the President's decision to remove a country from the state sponsor of terrorism list. By increasing the amount of time for a state to show they are not engaged in terrorism and increasing congressional oversight and scrutiny, we will force countries to prove they are not bad actors. While I am pleased to see my bill pass the House, it was equally rewarding to see my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, come together and do what is right for America."

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