# 114-hr-4237: Protect America Act of 2015

114-hr-4237, Protect America Act of 2015, is a 114th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Zeldin, Lee M. [R-NY-1] (R-NY); status Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations. (as of 2025-11-18).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-4237
- As of: 2025-11-18
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 114-hr-4237
- Congress: 114
- Title: Protect America Act of 2015
- Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
- Introduced: 2015-12-11
- Sponsor: Rep. Zeldin, Lee M. [R-NY-1] (R-NY)
- Cosponsors: 14
- Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2025-11-18

## Summary

Protect America Act of 2015 Preventing Terrorists From Obtaining Firearms Act of 2015 This bill amends the federal criminal code to require the Department of Justice (DOJ), after receiving notice of a request to transfer a firearm to a known or suspected terrorist, to: (1) confirm the identity of the prospective transferee and confirm or rule out a connection to terrorism, (2) notify relevant law enforcement or intelligence agencies, and (3) determine whether the prospective transferee is the subject of an ongoing terrorism investigation. It authorizes DOJ or a U.S. Attorney's Office to delay for up to 72 hours and file an emergency petition to prohibit the firearm transfer. Preventing Terrorists From Obtaining Explosives Act of 2015 If DOJ receives an application for an explosives permit or license from a known or suspected terrorist, it must: (1) confirm the identity of the applicant and confirm or rule out a connection to terrorism, (2) notify relevant law enforcement or intelligence agencies, and (3) determine whether the applicant is the subject of an ongoing terrorism investigation. It authorizes DOJ or a U.S. Attorney's Office to delay for up to 90 days and file an emergency petition to prohibit the approval of the application. The bill requires DOJ to review the terrorist watch and no-fly lists and remove the name of any person whose name was erroneously placed on such lists.

## Cosponsors (14)

- Rep. Katko, John [R-NY-24] (R-NY), 2015-12-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lance, Leonard [R-NJ-7] (R-NJ), 2016-06-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Young, David [R-IA-3] (R-IA), 2016-06-22T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10] (R-OH), 2016-06-23T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fitzpatrick, Michael G. [R-PA-8] (R-PA), 2016-06-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Gibson, Christopher P. [R-NY-19] (R-NY), 2016-06-28T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Knight, Stephen [R-CA-25] (R-CA), 2016-07-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hultgren, Randy [R-IL-14] (R-IL), 2016-07-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Messer, Luke [R-IN-6] (R-IN), 2016-07-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McSally, Martha [R-AZ-2] (R-AZ), 2016-07-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21] (R-NY), 2016-07-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Donovan, Daniel M., Jr. [R-NY-11] (R-NY), 2016-07-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Comstock, Barbara [R-VA-10] (R-VA), 2016-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. MacArthur, Thomas [R-NJ-3] (R-NJ), 2016-07-14T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 114-hr-1475: Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall of Remembrance Act
- 114-hr-160: Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2015
- 114-hr-5292: Air Traffic Controller Hiring Improvement Act of 2016
- 114-hr-3381: Childhood Cancer STAR Act
- 114-hr-2646: Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2016
- 114-hr-699: Email Privacy Act

## Sources
- [114-hr-4237 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4237)

## Related
- [114-hr-1475: Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall of Remembrance Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-1475)
- [114-hr-160: Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2015](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-160)
- [114-hr-5292: Air Traffic Controller Hiring Improvement Act of 2016](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-5292)
- [114-hr-3381: Childhood Cancer STAR Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-3381)
- [114-hr-2646: Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2016](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-2646)
- [114-hr-699: Email Privacy Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-699)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-4237 (as of 2025-11-18).