After a turbulent year for one of our nation’s best security programs, it’s heartening to see Republican leaders push for VWP expansion in this year’s party platform.
It’s been an eventful week here in Cleveland. While the presidential nomination process has certainly been the focus of the week’s activities, the GOP also took up the process of amending its platform. One amendment in particular gives the travel industry cause for quiet celebration.
A one-sentence amendment to the GOP platform, which debuted Monday at the Republican National Convention, would add Poland to the list of 38 allied countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). VWP inclusion would allow pre-screened, pre-approved Polish business or leisure travelers to enter the U.S. visa-free for stays up to 90 days.
While the platform is, of course, non-binding, it’s an encouraging sign of GOP leaders’ commitment to providing a secure, efficient process for legitimate international travelers to reach the U.S. The VWP is first and foremost a security tool, thoroughly pre-vetting travelers from approved partner countries.
After a year in which the VWP was subject to misinformed attacks by some political leaders, I am especially heartened to see official GOP validation of efforts to expand this valuable program. My colleagues often say the VWP is the best federal program with, unfortunately, the worst name in Washington. My own background is as a Republican, and I’m proud of my party’s leaders for embracing the value of the VWP at its most important gathering, and hope that they will honor this commitment to travelers after the election-year dust settles.