U.S. Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY) called on the Senate on Tuesday to act on a House proposal to enact new security measures for Iraqi and Syrian refugees attempting to enter the U.S.
“I care about keeping Americans safe and we must use common sense policies to make sure that happens,” Reed said. “This bill is a fair approach to keeping those who can’t be verified or properly vetted from entering our country and prioritizes Americans over refugees, something American people expect their leaders to do.”
The Senate is expected to vote on Wednesday whether to advance consideration of the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015. The legislation would prevent Iraqi and Syrian refugees from seeking refugee status in the U.S. until an individual is certified to not pose any threat by multiple government agencies. No Iraqi or Syrian refugee would be allowed into the U.S. without receiving such clearance.
The bill, which Reed supported when it was considered last year, was passed in the House by a veto-proof, two-thirds majority in November, despite opposition from the Obama administration.
“America is a compassionate and generous nation,” Reed said. “We have provided billions of dollars in humanitarian relief for the people impacted by this conflict, and we remain committed to that process,” Reed said. “But it is more cost effective and feasible to help refugees right there in the Middle East rather than transport them into the United States, much less without knowing which refugees are innocents and which may have ties to ISIS or other terror groups.”