WASHINGTON —  U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after the White House and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced new changes to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP):

“My number one priority is keeping Connecticut and the United States safe. The Visa Waiver Program allows 20 million people into the U.S. each year with streamlined screening procedures and without requiring them to apply for a visa. That’s a vulnerability in our country’s national security – one that I’m fighting to fix. While some wish to close our borders and send families fleeing terrorism back into the grips of their tormentors, I was sent to Congress to confront America’s challenges smartly and strategically, not impulsively. That’s why I’m calling on Congress to update and strengthen the Visa Waiver Program. That’s a critical step we can take to prevent an attack on our shores.

“After talking with Homeland Security Secretary Johnson earlier this month, I know he will do whatever it takes to protect Americans from terrorism. I appreciate the administration’s announcement today and am glad the administration is taking proactive steps to improve the security of the visa waiver system. However, Congress needs to work with the Departments of State and Homeland Security to further develop and codify these security enhancements to keep Americans safe.”

During a press conference with colleagues earlier this month, Murphy urged Congress to strengthen the Visa Waiver Program, especially the need for increased data sharing among visa waiver program countries, and called for a bipartisan effort to close a loophole that currently allows individuals on the terror watch list to purchase firearms and explosives in the United States.