{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://davidscott.house.gov/blog/?postid=397618", "Rep. Scott Addresses Visa Waiver Program Security Gaps", "2015-11-20", "2015", "2015-11", "Democrat", "House", "GA", "David Scott", "S001157", "davidscott.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Scott Addresses Visa Waiver Program Security Gaps\r\n  \r\n    Terrorists in recent attacks have travelled to Syria and Iraq with European passports. Manywestern countries participate in thevisa waiver programwith the U.S. This program allows for visa-free travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days under specific guidelines.Each year, almost a third oftemporary visitors to the UStravel under these waivers.Congresswoman Scott joined as a co-sponsor of a new bi-partisan bill (H.R. 4122), which wouldstrengthen U.S. security by addressing security gaps in the visa waiver program. \r\nH.R. 4122 wouldsuspend the visa waiver program fortravelers who havevisited a country designated as a state sponsor of terror (Iran, Sudan, Syria) in the last five years. The bill also includes visits to a countries with active global terror networks (Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Nigeria). The Secretary of State would be able to add additional countries if there is a known threat.UPDATE: On December 8, Congressman Scott joinedthe House inoverwhelminglyapproving the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act(H.R. 158), by a vote of407-19.This legislation will help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identify and stop terrorists with Western passports from entering the United States. It would require countries participating inthe visa waiver program to continually share terrorism and foreign traveler data with the U.S.and screen all passengers against all INTERPOL databases and notices. The Senate is expected to approve H.R. 158. To track this legislation or other bills, visit https://www.congress.gov/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://davidscott.house.gov/blog/?postid=397618"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.800407025963068, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}