This week, the House passed the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act (H.R. 3003) as well as Kate’s Law (H.R. 3004). These bills combat dangerous sanctuary city practices which have led to tragedy and the devastating loss of life for American families. Under the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, jurisdictions that fail to enforce federal immigration laws would not be eligible for certain grant programs administered by the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security.
Kate’s Law is a bill named in memory of Kate Steinle, who was murdered in San Francisco in 2015 by a five-time deported illegal immigrant. In order to protect U.S. citizens, it is imperative that we enforce our immigration laws. Kate’s law closes loopholes that criminal aliens slip through. It also establishes mandatory prison sentences if and when these criminals attempt to reenter our country, thereby ensuring that individuals who are repeatedly apprehended are not released only to return.
By enforcing our immigration laws and not allowing criminals to repeatedly violate our laws without consequences, we can prevent other U.S. families from experiencing the devastation and pain Kate’s have gone through.
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This week, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, of which I am a member, passed the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform & Reauthorization (AIRR) Act. This is a long overdue modernization bill that provides a solution to effectively integrate modern technology into American air travel. For over 35 years, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has continually tried and failed to update air traffic technology and operation. This means that despite having the world’s largest aviation industry, our air traffic technology lags behind much of the world. With the support of the House majority, I am pleased to see the President endorse this plan to improve America’s air travel.
Tourism is the bedrock of Florida’s economy. From Orlando International, one the busiest airports in the country, to Tampa International and several regional airports in between – it is imperative that our airports are able to efficiently and effectively transport the millions of tourists who travel to our state annually, while also providing high-quality service to Floridians within District 11 who depend on our international and regional airports for their vacation and business travel. The AIRR Act improves the ability of airports to better transport people and goods in America’s skies. Additionally, the FAA has thus far failed to establish clear and fair guidelines for drone usage, despite their enormous potential. This failure has stunted the growth of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The AIRR Act will create a policy roadmap for drone operations, allowing innovative use of this technology in everything from agriculture to building inspections.
You can read more about the 21st Century AIRRACT [here].
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As your U.S. Representative, I take no issue more seriously than protecting America’s homeland. This week, the Supreme Court ruled that elements of President Trump’s Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry executive order will take effect while they prepare to have hearings on the case at a later date. The President’s order places a temporary travel ban to six Middle Eastern countries that Congress, during President Obama’s administration, determined to be compromised by terrorism. It does not apply to green card holders, aliens currently in the US, any alien who currently has a valid visa, aliens who are dual nationals of a designated country traveling on a passport issued by a non-designated country and aliens who have been granted asylum or admitted as refugees. I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision.
Congressman Daniel Webster represents The Villages in the U.S. House of Representatives.
