House votes to tighten visa rules

By Susan Ferrechio, Susan Ferrechio

Published December 20, 2015

The House easily passed legislation Tuesday that would end the visa waiver privilege now offered to western passport holders if they have traveled to Iraq, Iran, Syria or Sudan, which are considered breeding grounds for terrorism.

Lawmakers approved the measure with an overwhelming bipartisan vote, 407 to 19.

The legislation is part of a broader effort by the GOP to shore up national security following the terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif.

Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said the bill "will help neutralize the threat of foreign terrorists entering this country," and he added the GOP would be introducing additional legislation addressing that threat.