HR 5886
110th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5886
To restrict the diplomatic travel of officials and representatives
of state sponsors of terrorism, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 24, 2008
Mr. BROUN of Georgia (for himself, Mrs. MYRICK, Mr. AKIN, Mr. MANZULLO, Mr.
BARTLETT of Maryland, Mr. GOODE, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. DOOLITTLE, Mr.
PITTS, Mr. GINGREY, Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey, Mr. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART of
Florida, Mr. KLINE of Minnesota, Mr. SESSIONS, and Mr. SALI) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
A BILL
To restrict the diplomatic travel of officials and representatives
of state sponsors of terrorism, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Limiting the Intrusive Miles of International
Terrorist Sponsors Act of 2008' or the `LIMITS Act of 2008'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism represent a threat
to the national security of the United States.
(2) The United States is obligated to permit officials and other representatives
of countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism to travel to New
York City to attend meetings and conduct official business at the United
Nations.
(3) Individuals from countries not otherwise legally permitted to travel
to the United States are given visas for delegates and representatives to
the United Nations and other related diplomatic purposes.
(4) In connection with the September 2007 meeting of the United Nations
General Assembly, 21 delegates from Cuba, 144 delegates from Iran, 6 delegates
from North Korea, 7 delegates from Syria, and 16 delegates from Sudan were
issued visas by the Department of State for travel to New York City.
(5) These delegates and representatives are in addition to the number of
domestically assigned nationals assigned to the United States.
(6) Between 2002 and 2007, the Department of State issued, with full diplomatic
immunity, 1823 visas to delegates and representatives from Cuba, 2782 visas
to delegates and representatives from Iran, 132 visas to delegates and representatives
from North Korea, 1242 visas to delegates and representatives from Sudan,
and 706 visas to delegates and representatives from Syria.
(7) The delegates and representatives from Iran, North Korea, and Cuba,
which are all state sponsors of terrorism, are currently permitted to travel
up to 25 miles from Columbus Circle in New York City for United Nations
activities, far beyond the necessary working vicinity of the United Nations,
giving them access not only to Manhattan, but to surrounding cities and
States.
(8) The delegates and representatives from Syria and Sudan, both state sponsors
of terrorism, are currently permitted to travel throughout the United States
without any mileage restrictions.
(9) In June 2002, November 2003, and June 2004, Iranian diplomatic personnel
from the Iranian Mission to the United Nations were caught photographing
and videotaping the New York City subway and other popular landmarks.
(10) The Department of State expelled these individuals for being engaged
in activities not consistent with their duties.
(11) Issuing approximately 6685 visas over the past 5 years to personnel
from countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism, without proper
boundaries, creates a major security vulnerability within the United States.
(12) The presence of hundreds of individuals with diplomatic immunity from
countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism is overwhelming United
States counterterrorism and intelligence resources.
(13) The United States has an obligation to protect the American people
against such threats.
SEC. 3. RESTRICTION ON DIPLOMATIC TRAVEL OF OFFICIALS AND REPRESENTATIVES
OF STATE SPONSORS OF TERRORISM.
(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, and except as
provided in subsections (b) and (c), the President shall restrict to the designated
area the travel of officials and representatives of countries that are designated
as state sponsors of terrorism who are visiting the United Nations headquarters
complex in connection with official business at the United Nations headquarters
complex.
(b) Waiver- The President may waive the travel restriction described in subsection
(a) if the President--
(1) determines that it is in the interest of national defense of the United
States to do so; and
(2) submits to Congress a report that contains the reasons for such determination.
(1) INGRESS AND EGRESS- For purposes of this section, the restriction on
travel referred to in subsection (a) shall not include travel to and from
John F. Kennedy International Airport or LaGuardia Airport to the designated
area in connection with meetings at the United Nations headquarters complex.
Travel between the designated area and such airports shall be direct and
without any intervening stops.
(2) ACCOMMODATIONS- For purposes of this section, the restriction on travel
referred to in subsection (a) shall not include travel to and from any lodgings
or other hotel accommodations in which an official or representative is
staying if such lodging or other hotel accommodation is within the designated
area. Such permissible travel within the designated area may be made only
by land.
(3) MEDICAL EMERGENCIES- For purposes of this section, the restriction on
travel referred to in subsection (a) shall not include travel to and from
New York University medical center or Bellevue Hospital Center for emergency
medical care.
(d) Rules of Construction-
(1) ON TRAVEL- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit the placement
of additional restrictions by the City of New York, the State of New York,
or the law enforcement agencies of such City or State on the travel within
the designated area of officials and representatives of countries that are
designated as state sponsors of terrorism.
(2) OTHER RESTRICTIONS- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit
the placement by the President of additional restrictions on officials and
representatives of countries that are designated as state sponsors or terrorism.
(e) Effective Date- This Act shall take effect on the date that is 60 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(f) Definitions- In this Act:
(1) DESIGNATED AREA- The term `designated area' means an area not greater
than one-half of one mile (0.5 miles) in any direction on the island of
Manhattan from the United Nations headquarters complex, but does not include
any waterway.
(2) STATE SPONSOR OF TERRORISM- The term `state sponsor of terrorism' means
a country the government of which has been determined by the Secretary of
State, for purposes of section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act of
1979, section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, section 40 of
the Arms Export Control Act, or other provision of law, is a government
that has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.
(3) UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS COMPLEX- The term `United Nations headquarters
complex' means the complex of United Nations buildings located in the City
of New York, on First Avenue between 42nd Street and 48th Street, with the
street address of 760 United Nations Plaza.
END
