U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) released the following statement regarding H.R. 4038. Please also see U.S. Rep. Castor’s op-ed, “To combat Islamic State, strengthen Special Forces and insist on more help from other nations,” published today.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of the families of my neighbors and all Americans. After the horrendous Paris terrorist attacks, we must ensure that law enforcement, intelligence agencies and military service members have the tools they need to keep us safe.  It also is fair to examine how people enter the United States and the various screening processes for visitors, asylum seekers, refugees, and others fleeing war-torn nations. Those wishing to enter our country must meet strict tests and checks, but it is counterproductive to completely halt appropriate resettlement victims of torture, those who have opposed terrorist groups like ISIL, and those with family ties.

“Today I was able to vote to take up the Secure Refugee Process Act of 2015. This approach would ensure that the United States increases its rigorous screening and provides for extensive interagency security. This added vetting of the limited number of people who qualify for safe harbor in our great nation would further ensure the safety of Americans and yet not totally shut down potential resettlement of ISIL victims.

In addition, I support legislation to prohibit any person on the national terrorism watch list from being able to purchase a firearm, regardless of their immigration status. Data from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) show that between 2004 and 2010, people on terrorism watch lists tried to buy guns and explosives more than 1,400 times. They succeeded in more than 90 percent of those cases, or 1,321 times. In 2013-14, the number of successful buyers rose to 94 percent, with 455 suspects buying weapons and just 30 denied as allowed under current laws. Of those denied, the GAO reported that none were denied because they were a terror threat, but because either there was a ‘felony conviction, under indictment, adjudicated mental health, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence conviction, fugitive from justice and controlled substance abuse.’”

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