WASHINGTON -- The
Senate Tuesday approved a wide-ranging security bill that would
enable more countries to qualify for participation in the Visa
Waiver Program and also boosted funding for border protection.
Currently, 27
countries participate in the VWP, which allows travelers from the
qualified countries to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without a
visa. The countries reciprocate by extending the same privilege to
U.S. visitors.
The security
bill, referred to as Implementing Unfinished Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of
2007, provides funds for the hiring of at least 200 new
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and establishes a
"model ports" program in which 20 specially designated
international airports in the U.S. would be enhanced with
informational videos and other added services designed specifically
to aid arriving foreign visitors.
The Senate bill,
sponsored by Sens. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins
(R-Maine), which now must be reconciled with a similar version
previously approved by the House, was hailed by the travel
industry.
"Being a secure
nation should not exclude us from being a welcoming nation," said
Roger Dow, president and CEO of the Travel Industry Association.
"The proposed legislation is key to improving our nation's visa and
entry problems, and will help remedy our image around the
world."
Jonathan Tisch,
chairman of the Travel Business Roundtable and chairman and CEO of
Loews Hotels, echoed Dow's sentiments. "The passage of these
reforms in the Senate is a first step to finding the right balance
between secure borders and open doors. But for the U.S. to remain a
competitive destination, our policymakers must also go one step
further and recognize the need to ensure that international
visitors feel welcome upon arrival."
Stevan Porter,
president, the Americas of InterContinental Hotels Group and
chairman of the Discover America Partnership, said the bill strikes
"the right balance between security and travel
facilitation."
The legislation
"is critical as international travelers are at the heart of
America's economic security and public diplomacy efforts," he
said.
Bill Connors,
executive director and COO of the National Business Travel
Association agreed.
The "experience
many international travelers have when entering and exiting the
U.S. often leads to a less positive perception of the country,
which can also drive business elsewhere," Connors said.
Nonetheless, the
bipartisan bill is not without controversy.
A provision
included in a security bill that would permit collective bargaining
for Transportation Security Administration airport security
personnel has riled Republican House and Senate members who have
warned they will attempt to derail the legislation unless the
measure dropped.
President Bush,
who disapproves of the measure, arguing it would undermine the
flexibility the TSA requires to deploy security employees as
needed, has signaled he will veto the final bill if it is approved
by Congress.
Two-thirds
majorities in both the House of Representatives and Senate voting
in favor of the legislation would be needed to override the
veto.
However,
Republican lawmakers are lining up with the White House.
Echoing concerns
expressed by both Bush and Homeland Security Secretary Michael
Chertoff, is Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), ranking member on the House
Transportation Committee. Mica has said he has "secured"
commitments from nearly 150 House members who would sustain a
possible veto by President Bush. At least 36 Senators also intend
to sustain a possible Bush veto.
Mica said the
legislation establishing the TSA, which he helped craft, "purposely
excluded collective bargaining for TSA screeners, even as it
preserved "their right to union membership."
Mica contends the
collective bargaining provision "would impact vital national
security operations and harm any administrator's ability to respond
to changing terrorist threats."
To contact reporter Michael Milligan, send e-mail to [email protected].