Rep. Zeldin Statement on Latest Terror Attack, This Time in Ouagadougou

Washington, DC – Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, C – NY-1) released the following statement in light of the latest terror attack, this time in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Congressman Zeldin also is calling for passage of his bill, The Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act of 2016.

“This is another reminder that radical Islamic extremism cannot be contained. It must be defeated,” said Congressman Zeldin. “ISIS is a major threat, but it is not the only threat, and the cancer is currently spreading in many different directions to countries in Africa, Asia and elsewhere. Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Mali, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines, are just some of the other countries where radical Islamic extremist groups are operating and plotting attacks against the rest of us. This is a cancer that must be eliminated. 
 
“One of the many solutions includes passing my Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act of 2016 (H.R. 4314) to help stop the movement of foreign fighters. The House Foreign Affairs Committee just passed my legislation through Committee and I am encouraging Congress to pass this legislation and send it to the President for his signature,” Congressman Zeldin concluded.

The Counterterrorism Screening and Assistance Act of 2016 would establish a plan to close security gaps that currently exist that allow terrorists and foreign fighters to travel internationally. The plan would establish international border security standards. A reporting system would also be established to monitor efforts of foreign governments to combat terrorism and foreign fighter travel and to suspend foreign assistance to countries not making significant efforts to comply. Moreover, U.S. surplus equipment and supplies would be sent abroad to boost security. The legislation would also put a monitoring system in place that would screen for infectious diseases to contain and prevent any potential outbreaks.

The bill was introduced in the House by Congressman Zeldin on January 5, 2016.