Terrorist Watchlist Data Accuracy and Transparency Act | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 4971
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4971Armed Forces and National Security
Terrorist Watchlist Data Accuracy and Transparency Act
INTRO AUG 15· LAST ACTION AUG 18
READING
5MIN
COSPONSORS
0
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care about this bill because being wrongly placed on a terrorist watchlist can have serious, life-altering consequences, from being unable to fly or experiencing significant delays at airports to potential issues with employment or public perception. Accurate watchlists are crucial for national security, but equally important is protecting the rights and freedoms of individuals from mistaken identity or outdated information.
If this bill becomes law, it could mean fewer innocent people face the frustrations and injustices of being wrongly flagged, improving trust in government security systems. If it doesn't pass, the current processes for reviewing and correcting watchlist entries might remain less stringent, potentially allowing more errors to persist and impacting more people unnecessarily. It's about balancing security needs with civil liberties, ensuring that security measures are precise and fair.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Requires DHS to conduct a quality assurance review of any individual nomination before it is submitted to the FBI or National Counterterrorism Center for inclusion on a terrorist watchlist.
This aims to catch errors before an individual is even placed on a watchlist, preventing potential issues from the start.
PROVISION 02
Mandates annual audits by DHS of all existing nominations of United States persons on the terrorist watchlist to ensure accuracy and continued satisfaction of listing criteria.
This provides a regular check specifically for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, addressing concerns about their rights and potential for wrongful inclusion.
PROVISION 03
Establishes a monthly random audit program for DHS to review all individuals on the terrorist watchlist, checking for errors and adherence to listing criteria.
This ensures ongoing vigilance across all watchlist entries, not just those of U.S. persons, to maintain overall list integrity.
PROVISION 04
Requires DHS to notify the FBI and NCTC within 24 hours of discovering an error or outdated information in a nomination and request a correction or retraction, with a follow-up consultation if changes aren't made within 30 days.
This creates a clear and timely process for addressing and fixing mistakes once they are identified, preventing prolonged wrongful listings.
PROVISION 05
Directs DHS to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the number of identities referred for corrections or retractions and the number of nominations recalled or reissued.
This ensures transparency and accountability regarding the accuracy of watchlists and the effectiveness of the new review processes.
Voters should care about this bill because being wrongly placed on a terrorist watchlist can have serious, life-altering consequences, from being unable to fly or experiencing significant delays at airports to potential issues with employment or public perception. Accurate watchlists are crucial for national security, but equally important is protecting the rights and freedoms of individuals from mistaken identity or outdated information.
If this bill becomes law, it could mean fewer innocent people face the frustrations and injustices of being wrongly flagged, improving trust in government security systems. If it doesn't pass, the current processes for reviewing and correcting watchlist entries might remain less stringent, potentially allowing more errors to persist and impacting more people unnecessarily. It's about balancing security needs with civil liberties, ensuring that security measures are precise and fair.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires DHS to conduct a quality assurance review of any individual nomination before it is submitted to the FBI or National Counterterrorism Center for inclusion on a terrorist watchlist.
This aims to catch errors before an individual is even placed on a watchlist, preventing potential issues from the start.
high
Mandates annual audits by DHS of all existing nominations of United States persons on the terrorist watchlist to ensure accuracy and continued satisfaction of listing criteria.
This provides a regular check specifically for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, addressing concerns about their rights and potential for wrongful inclusion.
med
Establishes a monthly random audit program for DHS to review all individuals on the terrorist watchlist, checking for errors and adherence to listing criteria.
This ensures ongoing vigilance across all watchlist entries, not just those of U.S. persons, to maintain overall list integrity.
high
Requires DHS to notify the FBI and NCTC within 24 hours of discovering an error or outdated information in a nomination and request a correction or retraction, with a follow-up consultation if changes aren't made within 30 days.
This creates a clear and timely process for addressing and fixing mistakes once they are identified, preventing prolonged wrongful listings.
med
Directs DHS to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the number of identities referred for corrections or retractions and the number of nominations recalled or reissued.
This ensures transparency and accountability regarding the accuracy of watchlists and the effectiveness of the new review processes.
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment, and annually thereafter
Initial annual audit of United States persons nominations
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment, and monthly thereafter
Establishment of random audit program and initial monthly audit
Not later than 24 hours after making a negative determination in an audit
Notification to FBI/NCTC for correction or retraction
30 days after a request for correction/retraction was made
Consultation with FBI/NCTC Directors if correction/retraction not effectuated
Annually
Annual report to Congress
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Terrorist Watchlist
A list of individuals suspected or known to be involved in terrorism, maintained by the U.S. government, which is used by various agencies for screening and security purposes. It is referred to as the 'terrorist screening database' in existing law.
No Fly List
A subset of the terrorist watchlist that prohibits individuals from boarding commercial aircraft for travel to, from, within, or over the United States.
Selectee List
A subset of the terrorist watchlist that requires individuals to undergo enhanced security screening before boarding commercial aircraft.
United States Person
Any United States citizen or an alien who has been admitted for permanent residence in the United States (a green card holder).
Federal Bureau of Investigation's Terrorist Screening Center (TSC)
The multi-agency center that maintains the U.S. government's consolidated terrorist watchlist and provides 24/7 access to law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC)
The primary organization for integrating and analyzing all intelligence pertaining to terrorism possessed or acquired by the U.S. government, and for conducting strategic operational planning for counterterrorism activities.
ACTION TIMELINE
4 EVENTS
AUG 18, 25
Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
COMMITTEE
AUG 15, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
AUG 15, 25
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
INTROREFERRAL
AUG 15, 25
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
A comprehensive database managed by the NCTC that serves as the U.S. government's central repository of known or suspected international terrorist identity information.
