110 HR 5886 IH: LIMITS Act of U.S. House of Representatives 2008-04-24 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5886 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.

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.

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.

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. (c)

Exceptions

(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.