Terrorist Watchlist Data Accuracy and Transparency Act

The Terrorist Watchlist Data Accuracy and Transparency Act would add a new quality assurance framework to how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) nominates individuals for the terrorist watchlist and related terrorism databases (including the No Fly List and Selectee List). Before any initial nomination is submitted to the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) and the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), DHS must conduct a quality assurance review to ensure all information is error-free. The bill also requires ongoing oversight: annual audits of nominations for United States persons, monthly random audits of all nominations, and a process to correct or retract erroneous entries with rapid notification to TSC and NCTC. It establishes reporting to Congress on corrections/retractions and returns of nominations, and ties these procedures to existing Watchlisting Guidance. Overall, the bill aims to improve data accuracy, transparency, and accountability in watchlist decisions.