Like each of you, I am disgusted by last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris, France and, more recently, by the disturbing hostage situation today in Barnako, Mali.As we consider the tragic loss of life in these nations overseas, it is appropriate for the United States to consider what measures should be taken to ensure that these atrocities are not repeated on American soil. Of particular concern for me are the security gaps in our refugee resettlement program.
President Obama has called upon the U.S. State Department to admit an additional 10,000 Syrian refugees across our border. While I believe it is critical that the U.S. make efforts to aid those who are persecuted in the Middle East, particularly the Christians and other religious minorities who suffer the worst brutalization, the security of the American people must be our first priority.
Our top intelligence officials have already raised red flags about the country’s capacity to screen incoming refugees. For example, earlier this year, Assistant FBI Director Michael Steinbeck testified before Congress that vetting of incoming refugees was “not even close to being under control.” President Obama’s own Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, effectively confirmed these statements just last month, warning that “We are not going to know a whole lot about the Syrians that come forth in this process.” In matters of national security, this uncertainty is simply unacceptable.
Conservatives welcome legal immigrants and refugees. We know that the strength of our nation lies in the diversity of its people, and we believe in the famous words emblazoned on Lady Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses learning to breathe free.” But we also know that this tradition of offering a place of refuge must be viewed in the context of another famous text: the U.S. Constitution, which commands the federal government to “provide for the common defense” – that means protecting our homeland and keeping our citizens safe.
In light of these warnings from within our intelligence community and the recent attacks overseas, it is clear that we must halt our refugee resettlement programs to ensure the appropriate safeguards are in place before moving forward.
Yesterday, the House of Representatives took the first step in this process with the bipartisan, veto-proof passage of the SAFE Act of 2015 – legislation requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security, National Intelligence Director, and FBI director to unanimously certify each individual Syrian and Iraqi refugee before they are granted entry to the United States.
This bill marks an important improvement from the status quo, but it cannot be the end of our Congressional action. I am supportive of efforts to temporarily defund further implementation of this program in upcoming “must-pass” spending bills until we can gather all the facts. I additionally have cosponsored Congressman Brian Babin’s Resettlement National Security Accountability Act, which would place a moratorium on all refugee resettlement programs pending the outcome of a government study.
Sadly, President Obama has portrayed these commonsense national security measures as cold and lacking in compassion. Nothing could be further from the truth. We all have compassion for our neighbors overseas who are oppressed by radical, Islamic regimes – but our compassion must be matched with wisdom. There is nothing compassionate about endangering American lives by allowing an influx of refugees across our borders without sufficient screening processes in place.
Ultimately the most decent, compassionate thing that the United States can do for the refugees displaced in the Middle East, and for our allies around the world, is to lead the fight against ISIS and to win. We need our Commander-in-Chief to lead at this moment. We need to hear a comprehensive plan not to “contain” this terrorist network, but to eradicate it, and we must continue to pray for France, our oldest ally, as they heal from this wound and join us in this effort.
