Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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Mr. BERA. I rise in support of this measure.

Let me thank Chairman Royce for his leadership on the Foreign Affairs Committee and, also, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Zeldin) for bringing this bill forward.

Violence in recent months has shown us that the threat of violent extremism isn't isolated to particular countries or regions. More and more we see the danger posed by terrorists and foreign fighters when they can cross borders unimpeded.

So the United States, along with our allies and partners, need to do whatever we can to stop those dangerous individuals as they cross from country to country. This bill would help us move in that direction.

Here at home, this legislation would ramp up coordination among government agencies dealing with this problem. I would call on the administration for a specific plan laying out how we are going to meet this challenge.

Around the world, it would help governments by speeding the transfer of software and technology we can use to track people entering a country, to collect biometric data, and to figure out what sort of risks they might present. It would prioritize the sharing of specific border security systems with foreign partners.

It would put a particular focus on countries where this danger is particularly acute. It would establish minimum standards for international border security and makes it clear that governments that don't take this problem seriously are putting their American foreign assistance at risk. This legislation provides commonsense steps to ensure our own security and that of our allies and partners.

I again thank Mr. Zeldin for all his hard work. I am pleased to support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker,

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Mr. BERA. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers, and I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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