Sen. Dianne Feinstein Responds to Jim Patterson on ISIL Attack in Paris

Dear Mr. Patterson:

Thank you for writing me regarding your concerns about the November 13, 2015, terrorist attacks in Paris, France.  I appreciate the time you took to write regarding these important issues, and I sincerely apologize the delay in my response. 

As you may know, on the evening of November 13, 2015, terrorists wearing suicide vests attacked multiple sites in the heart of Paris, killing 130 people and injuring hundreds more.  The Islamic State of the Levant (ISIL) claimed responsibility for these horrific attacks. 

Please know that my heart goes out to the victims of the Paris attacks, and to all those who have lost their lives due to these brutal acts of terror.  I agree with President Obama—these attacks in Paris were not just attacks against France, they were terrorist attacks against every country that refuses to yield to ISIL's evil ideology.  

As we have all seen, the fight to combat and ultimately destroy ISIL is spreading beyond Iraq and Syria.  I strongly believe we need to further increase our efforts against ISIL in Syria and Iraq directly and expand our support to partner nations in other countries where ISIL is operating.  It has become clear that the current strategy of limited air strikes and support for Iraqi forces and the moderate Syrian opposition are insufficient to defeat ISIL in the short-term.  This is a war that affects us all, and it is time to broaden and intensify our efforts to defeat this despicable terror organization.

Simultaneously, I believe we must do everything we can to enhance our homeland security and prevent foreign fighters from exploiting the United States' Visa Waiver Program.  That is why I, along with Senator Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and many of my other colleagues, introduced legislation (S. 2337) to strengthen the visa waiver program.  This legislation would, among other things, require improved intelligence sharing agreements with participating countries and require that travelers under the program submit fingerprints and photographs before visiting the United States.  

I am pleased to share that provisions from the "Visa Waiver Program Security Enhancement Act" were included in the Fiscal Year 2016 Federal Appropriations law (Public Law 114-113), which was signed into law on December 18, 2015.  Such provisions include mandating the use of machine readable "e-passports" and requiring individuals traveling to the U.S. to apply for a visa if they have been to Iraq or Syria in the last five years. 

Please know that I have carefully noted your views and concerns, and I will keep them in mind as my colleagues and I discuss the most effective policy to defeat ISIL and keep our nation and the world safe. 

Again, thank you for writing.  I hope you continue to keep me informed on matters of importance to you.  If you have any additional questions or comments, do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C., office at (202) 224-3841.  Best regards.  

Sincerely yours,


  Dianne Feinstein
         United States Senator
Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the nation are available at my website, feinstein.senate.gov. And please visit my YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for more ways to communicate with me.