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WASHINGTON – Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., today praised passage of bipartisan legislation that would help the Department of Homeland Security identify and stop terrorists with Western passports from entering the United States.

“National security is the number one job of the federal government, and this bipartisan legislation is one step toward reducing the risk that terrorists pose to our nation,” said Foxx. “We need a comprehensive review of how foreigners gain admittance to the United States – whether through the refugee process, border crossings or visas – so we can take the necessary steps to protect America and her people.”

H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act of 2015, passed the House by a vote of 407-19. The legislation is designed to strengthen the security of the Visa Waiver Program to better ensure that individuals entering the United States through the program are not security risks while also maintaining the program’s ability to facilitate legitimate foreign business travel and tourism.

The Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of 38 participating countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less when they meet certain requirements.

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U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx represents North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District and is the elected Republican Conference Secretary. Dr. Foxx is the chair of the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and serves as Vice Chair of the House Rules Committee.