Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) issued the following statement on Attorney General William Barr’s announcement on the FBI finding the military trainee who killed three U.S. sailors and wounded several others at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola last December was working with al-Qaeda operatives:

“Today’s announcement is an unfortunate reminder that terror still threatens America – and that it was on Florida’s own soil that a terrorist attack occurred in December. Though training foreign nationals to work with us is key to the success of our missions overseas, the United States must vet these foreign nationals thoroughly and properly, so we can ensure this tragedy never happens again.”

Waltz called for a full investigation of the shooting and is also sponsoring the Secure U.S. Bases Act, which requires thorough vetting of foreign military students before they enter the U.S. The legislation also establishes a review process so the Department of Defense does not operate programs domestically if they are better suited for operation abroad. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) is sponsoring the companion legislation in the Senate.