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News from Congressman Mike Castle
October 19, 2001


CASTLE HIGHLIGHTS LATEST LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS IN THE 
WAR ON TERRORISM

(Dover, Delaware)   Saying the effort to root out terrorism must be multifaceted, Delaware Congressman Mike Castle today highlighted his legislative efforts and the latest action by Congress to find terrorist cells, bring them to justice, prevent future attacks on democracy and keep all Americans safe.

“The threat of terrorism comes from a variety of  sources, not a single country or person.  Our primary enemy is known, but its web of supporters extends throughout the world,” Castle said.  “There is no single step we can take to terminate terrorist attacks against our nation–it must be a multifaceted campaign comprising military action, intelligence gathering, tightening security at our borders, improved background checks and increased surveillance over possible terrorist rings.”

 Castle highlighted three pieces of antiterrorism legislation he is working to enact into law:

1. SECURE AVIATION EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ENHANCEMENT ACT 

  • Would implement a background check for pilot training and flight service training including aircraft maintenance and flight attendant schools.
  • Federal Aviation Administration would create a standard form and maintain a data base of all forms processed so all flight schools will have access to this information.
2. VISA SECURITY AND INTEGRITY ACT
  • IMMEDIATE VERIFICATION –– Develops an automated system to track visa holders to determine their legal status in real-time. Requires the use of biometric technology within a tamper-proof visa to provide the highest degree of positive identification possible to federal and local law enforcement officials. 
  • IMPROVE VISA SCREENINGS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION - Mandates and authorizes increased funding for the sharing of law enforcement and intelligence information -- including State Department, CIA, INS, FBI and National Crime Information Center (NCIC) databases -- to perform thorough background checks on all visa applicants. 
  • IMPROVED OVERSIGHT OVER STUDENT VISAS - Boosts oversight of all foreign student visa holders within the United States.  Requires schools to report to the INS within 30 days of the start of the school term if the holder of a student visa by that school does not begin course work.
  • VISA WAIVER PROGRAM - Tightens eligibility standards for nations from which visas are not required for entry to the United States
3. OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY
  • Ensures our new Director of Homeland Security has the statutory authority he needs to coordinate all aspects of intelligence community and relevant federal agencies.
  • Provides the Director of Homeland Security real budget authority be reviewing, in collaboration with the Office of Management and Budget, a national budget for homeland security. 
Castle also highlighted important progress on two major pieces of antiterrorism legislation.  In the last day, House and Senate negotiators have resolved issues that will enable Congress to give final approval to this legislation early next week:

1. PATRIOT Act--Provide Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism

  • Expands wiretap and surveillance methods aimed at capturing terrorists;
  • Encourages sharing of criminal information with intelligence communities;
  • Permits detention of suspected terrorists for 7 days; 
  • Gives the State Department and INS access to Justice Department records of VISA applicants to help US consular workers abroad identify potential terrorists seeking to enter the United States
The final compromise reached this week addresses the length of time the new wiretap and surveillance powers will be in effect.   The compromise will keep the new powers in effect for four years and allow ongoing investigations to continue to completion.

2. MONEY LAUNDERING LEGISLATION

  • Strengthens Law enforcement's ability to combat bulk cash smuggling; makes it easier to prosecute illegal money service businesses; bars the entry of aliens suspected of money laundering; strengthens law enforcement's ability to gain access to foreign bank records relevant to terrorism or money laundering.
  • Enhances cooperation between federal agencies and financial services industry.  Establishes a public-private task force on terrorist financing; creates a secure website to accept reports from financial institutions on possible terrorist activity.
  • To combat international money laundering, it prohibits U.S. banking privileges for offshore shell banks and authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to take special action if a foreign country or institution is deemed to be a money laundering concern. 
  • The House passed this important legislation on Wednesday with Congressman Castle's support.  Yesterday, House and Senate negotiators agreed on a final version with will be combined with the PATRIOT Act that can be passed by the Congress and sent to the President as early as next week.