Speech #1100006895

They are very cooperative. But in todays heightened security environment. there is more that each country can do. such as sharing additional sensitive information that can help our intelligence community and law enforcement agencies investigate threats and combat terrorist activity. By negotiating new agreements on counterterrorism and informationsharing to permit participation in the Visa Waiver Program. we can reduce threats to the United States. Additionally. the legislation would require the countries to enact a number of significant security measures. which would limit illegal entry and unlawful presence in their countries and impede travel by terrorists and transnational criminals. Security standards required for participation in the program would include electronic passports with biometric information. as well as prompt reporting of lost. stolen. or fraudulent travel documents to the U.S. and Interpol. These new requirements would help make the U.S. more secure. Expanding the number of participating visa waiver countries would increase the number of states meeting common security standards. This would allow the United States to shift consular resources used to issue visas to other missions with more critical security needs. If at any time. participant countries are not complying with these requirements. their probationary status in the program could be revoked. Likewise. if the program is determined to be successful. it could be expanded to include additional countries. The last part of the legislation is aimed at enhancing security requirements for countries who are currently participating in the Visa Waiver Program. In this post9/11 world. the U.S. Government has already required additional security measures of participating visa waiver countries. such as machine readable passports with biometric information. But we can and must do more. I was very pleased last November when Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff recommended several new measures to further enhance the efficiency and security of the Visa Waiver Program. His recommendations included an electronic travel authorization system. additional passenger information exchanges. common standards for airport security and baggage screening. cooperation in the air marshal program. and home country assistance in repatriation of any traveler who overstays the terms of their visa or violates U.S. law. As the Administration works to develop the details of its recommendations. my legislation would require that within one year. the executive branch provide a report to Congress on its plans for Visa Waiver Program improvements. In addition to the substantial benefits my legislation would create for U.S. foreign relations and homeland security. the bill would also advance U.S. economic competitiveness. Visafree travel to the United States has been proven to significantly boost tourism and business. as well as airline revenues. and would generate substantial economic benefits to the United States well into the future.