The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) praised the U.S. Senate passage of S.4, the Improving America`s Security by Implementing Unfinished Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, which would…
The National Business Travel Association (NBTA) praised the U.S. Senate passage of S.4, the Improving America`s Security by Implementing Unfinished Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, which would implement certain recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Report and contains a number of additional homeland security measures. Several provisions included in the bill would strengthen national security by simultaneously improving border security and making sure the United States remains open for business.
NBTA Executive Director & COO, Bill Connors, said, “The National Business Travel Association frequently hears from companies and partner organizations around the world that the visa application process creates unnecessary barriers for travelers to the United States that have driven business to other parts of the world. Moreover, the experience many international travelers have when entering and exiting the United States often leads to a less positive perception of the country, which can also drive business elsewhere.”
Connors continued, “It is NBTA’s belief that a strong national security posture can and should go hand-in-hand and welcoming visa and border policies. The passage of S.4 shows that the Senate shares that belief.”
Among the measures in the bill, authored primarily by Sens. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and Susan Collins (R-ME), that will improve security and the position of the United States as a place to conduct commerce are the following:
- Enhancement of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to tighten security and expand the number of countries eligible to participate. VWP allows travelers from approved nations to travel to the United States for 90 days or less for business or pleasure without undergoing a formal visa interview, enabling the free flow of commerce between the United States and its most important business and trade partners around the world. The reformed VWP, including an effective checkout system for air travelers, would be more secure for existing VWP countries and potentially millions of additional business travelers. This measure was driven by Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH).
- Expansion of the Model Ports of Entry program to improve the arrival process and experience for international travelers to the United States. The model ports program was first introduced by the Secretaries Rice and Chertoff as a pilot at two U.S. airports. A measure in this bill, spearheaded by Sens. Daniel Inouye (D-HI) and Ted Stevens (R-AK), would expand that program to the nation’s top 20 international arrival airports, and enhance airport staffing by authorizing 200 new U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at key U.S. international airports. NBTA is part of the working group established as part of the Secure Borders Open Doors Advisory Committee to advise the Departments of State and Homeland Security on the Model Ports and related initiatives.
- More flexible requirements for compliance with Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requirements, which may be possible due to language added by Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) to pilot the use of secure drivers licenses for cross-border travel.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
