National Security

The Constitution gives the federal government no greater role than the defense of the American people. I strongly support a vigorous national defense that provides our Armed Forces with the resources necessary to protect against threats to our national security and the homeland.

I am proud of and grateful to the men and women in uniform who serve around the world to protect the freedom of the people of the United States. They and their families deserve our thanks and admiration for their sacrifices. As your representative, I am committed to making sure they have everything they need to carry out their missions.

The United States faces an unprecedented terror threat level at home due to the continued failure to destroy Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and effectively neutralize other extremists. At a time of ongoing unrest in the Middle East, homegrown terrorists threats within the U.S., and the current crisis at our borders, keeping this nation safe, free, and prosperous is a complex undertaking. I have been and will continue to actively advance Americans’ security.

I have sponsored efforts to improve border security and protect the homeland. I have also supported measures that ensure our armed forces have the capacity to act anywhere in the world where America’s vital interests are threatened. We must remain vigilant against threats in order to maintain a free, open society, where we can secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity. 

Key Points on Terrorism:

• Islamist terrorists pose an increasing threat globally.
• Radical Islamists have escalated the pace of their attacks. 
• Islamist terror operatives have infiltrated the West by exploiting massive migrant and refugee flows.
• Former Guantanamo Bay detainees have returned to the battlefield at an alarming rate.
• Iran has remained the “foremost state sponsor of terrorism” in the wake of the disastrous nuclear deal.

 Top 10 Most Dangerous Terrorist Groups
Top 10 Most Dangerous Terrorist Groups in the Past 30 Days
Most deadly 10 Terrorist Attacks Outside of the U.S. in the last year
Major Terrorism Cases in U.S.
Funding of Terrorist Groups

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Defending Americans Comes First

• H.R. 4300, the Arm All Pilots Act, which expands access to a highly cost-effective program that enables commercial pilots to carry concealed weapons

• H.R. 503, the Expatriate Terrorist Act, which revokes citizenship for Americans who join foreign terrorist groups
• H.R. 923, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act
• H.R. 986, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, to allow people with concealed carry permits cross state lines
• H.R. 2942, the Stop Catch and Release Act, which stops illegal immigrants who are detained from being released into the United States
• H.R. 3115, the Enhancing Safety at Military Installations Act, directs the Department of Defense to allow trained military personnel to carry military-issued firearms on military bases and Armed Forces recruitment facilities
• H.R. 3314, the Resettlement Accountability National Security Act, which suspends refugee admissions until Congress approves resuming the program, and requires a study of refugee use of welfare programs
• H.R. 4321, the Separation of Powers Restoration and Second Amendment Protection Act, which ensures that American’s right to keep and bear arms is preserved
• H.R. 3892, the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act
• H.R. 4922, the Transparency in National Security Act, which places the National Security Council back under the Freedom of Information Act
• H.R. 4980, the Firearm Due Process Prevention Act, which improves the FBI appeal process for those denied firearm purchases 
• H.R. 2710, the Lawful Purpose and Self Defense Act 
• H.R. 4928, the Firearms Transfer Improvement Act
• H.R. 3799, the Hearing Protection Act 
• H.R. 3516, the Social Security Beneficiary 2^nd Amendment Rights Protection Act
• H.R. 4597, the ICE Agent Support Act 

- Recent Votes

• H.R. 5351, to prohibit the transfer of any individual detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

- Letters

• Signed Randy Forbes (R-VA) letter to the Department of Homeland Security calling for sufficient Customs and Border Protection officers to ensure timely clearing of cargo at ocean ports, such as the Port of Virginia.
   

• Amendment to FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act to remove language that would allow illegal immigrants to serve in the military with a path to citizenship.
• H.R. 4791, the Use Spending for Congressional Immigration Supervision (USCIS) Act, which simply makes the U.S. Customs and Immigrations Services subject to appropriations instead of being able fund itself directly with user fees. This would restore some of Congress’ power of the purse.  
• H.R. 5825, the Illegal Alien Criminal Notification Act, which requires State and Local jurisdictions to collect and share information on criminal aliens with the Federal government.
• H.R. 5826, the Detain and Deport Act, which strengthens/clarifies authority of ICE Detainers and prohibits Federal funds from going to State and political subdivisions who do not comply with detainer requests.

• H.R. 1147, the Legal Workforce Act, which mandates the use of E-verify 
• H.R. 1148, the SAFE Act, which empowers local law enforcement and reestablishes interior enforcement
• H.R. 1153, the Asylum Reform and Border Protection Act
• H.R. 1715, the Executive Amnesty Prevention Act, which stops the President’s unconstitutional immigration actions 
• H.R. 3002, the Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Act
• H.R. 3011, Kate’s Law, to increase penalties against illegal aliens who return after being deported
• H.R. 604, the Nuclear Family Priority Act, to end chain migration
• H.R. 3151, the Arrest Statistics Reporting Act, which requires the release of information regarding illegal aliens who are arrested
• H.R. 3296, the Restore the Oath of Allegiance Act, clarifies that the oath of allegiance to the United States administered in the naturalization process may not be altered
• H.R. 3818, the Ending Special National Origin-Based Immigration Programs for Cubans Act
• H.R. 4197, the State Refugee Security Act, which give states the right to opt out of the refugee resettlement program
• H.R. 4731, the Refugee Program Integrity Restoration Act
• An amendment with Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) to the NDAA that would prevent illegal immigrants from amnesty and being fast-tracked to citizenship through military service
• H.R. 5141, the Central American Amnesty Termination Act, which terminates the Central American Minors Refugee/Parole Program, which the President created unilaterally 
• Cosponsored Rep. Paul Gosar’s (R-AZ) H.R. 5283, the Military Amnesty Prevention Act, to prohibit illegal aliens from enlisting in the military as a fast-track to citizenship
• Cosponsored Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) H.R.3437, Protecting American Lives Act to protect American lives by keeping dangerous aliens out of the United States.
• H.R. 5816, to suspend, and subsequently terminate, the admission of certain refugees, to examine the impact on the national security of the United States of admitting refugees, to examine the costs of providing benefits to such individuals, and for other purposes.

• Signed four appropriations letters to end executive amnesty, sanctuary cities, and the Central American minors amnesty flight program, and also complete the fence at the border.
• Reps. Brian Babin and Dave Brat lead a request to include language in upcoming appropriations spending bills that would apply much-needed enhanced security measures to America’s refugee resettlement program, which the House overwhelmingly approved under the SAFE Act (H.R. 4038) on November 19, 2015.
• In September of 2016 I signed onto Representative Brian Babin’s (R-TX) letter to House Republican Leadership asking them to put American national security first in any upcoming Continuing Resolution (CR) legislation by including a moratorium on refugees from Syria, the Middle East, and North Africa until appropriate screening procedures are in place. 

• H.R. 3199, to prohibit statutory sanctions relief by the United States with respect to Iran unless the Senate provides its advice and consent to ratification of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
• Amendment offered to the FY 2017 NDAA to create a process for foreign governments to petition for excess property in their countries to be returned to them.
• H.R. 5823, the Naming the Enemy Within Homeland Security Act: Prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from funding or collaborating with organizations or individuals associated with the Muslim Brotherhood.
• H.R. 5824, the Religious Freedom International Reciprocity Enhancement Act or Religious FIRE Act: Prohibits foreigners from countries that do not respect religious liberties from funding religious activities in the United States, primarily to limit foreign terrorist organizations from advancing their brand of jihad in America.

• H.R. 3662, Iran Terror Finance Transparency Act, ensuring that sanctions are maintained on Iranian persons and organizations involved with terrorism.
• H. Res. 367, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives in disapproval of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreed to by the P5+1 and Iran on July 14, 2015.
• H. Res. 410, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015 does not apply to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action regarding Iran and submitted to Congress on July 19, 2015, because the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is a treaty and, pursuant to Article II of the U.S. Constitution, the Senate must give its advice and consent to ratification if the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is to be effective and binding upon the United States.
• H. Res. 440, calling for urgent international action on behalf of Iraqi and Syrian civilians facing a dire humanitarian crisis and severe persecution because of their faith or ethnicity in the Nineveh Plain region of Iraq and Khabor, Kobane, and Aleppo regions of Syria.
• H. Res. 571, establishing the Select Committee on Oversight of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the agreement with Iran over its nuclear program.
• H. Con. Res. 75, expressing the sense of Congress that those who commit or support atrocities against Christians and other ethnic and religious minorities, including Yezidis, Turkmen, Sabea-Mandeans, Kaka'e, and Kurds, and who target them specifically for ethnic or religious reasons, are committing, and are hereby declared to be committing, "war crimes", "crimes against humanity", and "genocide."
• H.R. 4448, State Sanctions Against Iranian Terrorism Act, which ensures States and local governments can continue to divest from Iranian businesses.
• H.R. 4815, the Iran Ballistic Missile Sanctions Act, which would impose sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missile program in response to its recent tests and renew the Iran Sanctions Act, which expires this year.
• H.Res.220, Condemning the Government of Iran’s state sponsored persecution of its Baha’I minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants of Human Rights.
• H.Res.729, Expressing support for the expeditious consideration and finalization of a new, robust, and long-term Memorandum of Understanding on military assistance to Israel between the United States Government and the Government of Israel.
• H.R. 5119, No 2H2O from Iran Act.

- Recent Votes

• S.2040, Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act – My vote on September 28^th was to secure the veto override President Obama issued on September 23^rd. The bill is now public law No: 114-222.
• H.R. 5931, Prohibiting Future Ransom Payments to Iran Act.
• H.R. 5119, No 2H2O from Iran Act

• Signed a letter with the entire Virginia delegation in support of the Navy maintaining at least 11 aircraft carriers
• Signed Bill Posey (R-FL) letter to the Attorney General requesting the appointment of a Special Counsel to investigate the Hillary Clinton email issue

• H.R. 702, to adapt to changing crude oil market conditions, which repeals the crude oil export ban.
• H.R. 2393, Country of Origin Labeling Amendments Act, which brings the U.S. into greater compliance with our international trade commitments.
• H.R. 2922, Adoptive Family Relief Act, waiving certain fees for American families facing delays in adoptions beyond their control.
• H. Res. 154, calling on the President to work toward equitable, constructive, stable, and durable Armenian-Turkish relations based upon the Republic of Turkey's full acknowledgment of the facts and ongoing consequences of the Armenian Genocide, and a fair, just, and comprehensive international resolution of this crime against humanity.
• H. Res. 220, condemning the Government of Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the International Covenants on Human Rights. 
• H. Res. 233, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Iran should immediately release the three United States citizens that it holds, as well as provide all known information on any United States citizens that have disappeared within its borders.
• H. Res. 277, honoring the Tunisian People for their democratic transition.
• H. Res. 343, Expressing concern regarding persistent and credible reports of systematic, state-sanctioned organ harvesting from non-consenting prisoners of conscience in the People's Republic of China, including from large numbers of Falun Gong practitioners and members of other religious and ethnic minority groups.
• S. 1890, Defend Trade Secrets Act: to create a federal private right of action for the misappropriation of trade secrets.
• H.R. 4219, a bill to authorize the President to establish Permanent Normal Trade Relations with Kazakhstan.
• H.R. 4992, the United States Financial System Protection Act, which would prevent the Obama administration from allowing Iran's regime access to transactions involving the U.S. dollar as long as the Iranian regime continues to engage in illicit activities, including the development of ballistic missiles and terrorism.

Letters

• Signed a letter with Reps. Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Kay Granger (R-TX) to President Obama in support of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process
  

• H.R. 2693, to designate the arboretum at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, as the "Phyllis E. Galanti Arboretum." Now Public Law 114-103
• H. Res. 377, to recognize the contributions of veterans involved with the atomic energy and weapons programs
  

• H.R. 969, the Blue Water Navy Act, to provide service-connected health coverage for veterans of the Vietnam War exposed to toxins while serving offshore
• H.R. 1475, the Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall of Remembrance Act
• H.R. 1994, the VA Accountability Act
• H.R. 4640, the Veteran Suicide Prevention Act
• H.R. 5166, the WINGMAN Act, which allows congressional staff to access read-only Veterans Benefits Administration claims of constituents.
• H.R. 4764, the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act, which direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to do a pilot program to see if service dogs help veterans with PTSD

- Recent Votes

• H.R. 5392, No Veterans Crisis Line Should Go Unanswered Act
• H.R. 5620, The VA Accountability First and Appeals Modernization Act

                -Mark Takano (D-CA) Amendment: Extension of authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide for the conduct of medical disability examinations by contract physicians.

                -Mark Takano (D-CA) Amendment: Amendment to allow the Secretary of the VA to furnish rehabilitative equipment to Veterans entitled to prosthetic appliances, and modify non-rehabilitative equipment owned by the Veteran to meet that purpose, if the Veteran elects. Rehabilitative equipment includes recreational sports equipment that provides an adaption or accommodation for the Veteran.

                -Mark Takano (D-CA) Amendment: Amendment to enable any person who is entitled to retired pay for nonregular (reserve) service or who, but for age, would be so entitled to be honored as a veteran. A person shall not be entitled to any benefit by reason of such recognition.

                -Sean Duffy (R-WI) Amendment: Amendment to allow the VA to also use hearing aid specialists, who are more available, and are qualified to fit, program, adjust, and repair hearing aids.

- Letters

• Personally sent a letter to the Veterans Affairs Office of Information and Technology, asking that the VA provide an exception from their burdensome guidance that limits the Richmond VA’s ability to provide purpose-built devices that improve patient and veteran care and awareness.
• Signed Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) letter calling on the Veterans Affairs department to respond to several questions regarding the recent reports of failures of the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL).