releases: https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lee-zeldin-introduces-protect-america-act-2015-bill-helps-prevent
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://zeldin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-lee-zeldin-introduces-protect-america-act-2015-bill-helps-prevent | Rep. Lee Zeldin Introduces the Protect America Act of 2015"; Bill Helps Prevent Terrorists From Acquiring Firearms and Explosives | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Republican | House | NY | Lee Zeldin | Z000017 | zeldin.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Congressman Lee Zeldin (R - NY-1), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today introduced the Protect America Act of 2015 in the House of Representatives (H.R. 4237). The Protect America Act of 2015 would help prevent terrorists from buying firearms and explosives in the United States, while protecting the Second Amendment rights of law abiding Americans. The legislation would grant the Attorney General the authority to deny firearms and explosives to individuals who are engaged in terrorist activities, or where there is a reasonable belief that an individual may use a firearm or explosive in connection with terrorism. The legislation would also permit the Attorney General to revoke firearms and explosives licenses and permits held by individuals determined to be engaged in terrorism. The bill also takes necessary steps to implement due process of law requirements to protect law abiding Americans. Additionally, the proposal directs the Attorney General to review and verify the terrorist watch list and no fly list to remove the names of innocent Americans who are not connected to terrorism. Congressman Zeldin said, The federal government must act to protect America, but it must act Constitutionally. My legislation would help prevent terrorists from purchasing firearms or explosives, while putting in place safeguards to ensure that the rights of law abiding Americans are protected. In addition to dangerous terrorist suspects, the terrorist watch list and no fly list include and have included infants, Ted Kennedy and other Members of Congress, U.S. Marshals, harmless service members, individuals with similar names, former college roommates of suspects, and other innocent Americans with no connection to terrorism. This bill gives the Department of Justice 90 days to review and verify these lists to ensure the removal of individuals who should have never been added in the first place." "It is unfortunate that some in Congress are pushing hard for an alternative that makes Americans guilty until proven innocent, denies necessary due process protections, and improperly targets law abiding citizens. If this issue is about good policy, and not about good politics, than those members must take the right next step and fully endorse this legislation to close the terror gap in U.S. laws," continued Congressman Zeldin. Following the terror attack in San Bernardino, California, the largest ISIS inspired terrorist attack on American soil ever, we must also focus on improving the visa waiver program, stopping the influx of Syrian refugees due to current vulnerabilities in the vetting process, and defeating ISIS altogether. The greatest humanitarian and security victory for the homeland and abroad is to wipe ISIS off the face of the earth. There is no better way to protect the innocent as well as our own freedoms and liberties, Congressman Zeldin concluded. *The Protect America Act of 2015 is similar to language previously introduced in the Senate by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). A copy of the bill can be found here:Protect America Act.pdf | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |