Mike Quigley: “The Visa Waiver Program plays an absolutely essential role in growing the American economy. If we don't have foreign…”

“The Visa Waiver Program plays an absolutely essential role in growing the American economy. If we don't have foreign travel, it is just going to be Michigan competing against Wisconsin, Las Vegas competing against Orlando; and while Chicago has no peer, we are really not being productive. Also, over the last decade, we have successfully used the incentives of this program to require participating countries to implement the strictest security standards and increase vital intelligence sharing with U.S. law enforcement. As a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I can't stress enough the value of intelligence we gather from the 38 Visa Waiver countries in thwarting terror plots and preventing attacks on our homeland. That is why I have been a longtime supporter of the Visa Waiver Program and for including important allies like Poland. But I have also led the effort to strengthen the security requirements of the program to respond to the evolving threats we face. The bipartisan JOLT Act, sponsored by myself and Mr. Heck, includes many of the security programs and reforms included in this bill we are debating today. It will also strengthen the security of the program and reduce fraud and also provide the U.S. with greater intelligence capacity. As policymakers, we must continuously reevaluate the reforms that are necessary to respond to keep America safe.…”