Speech #1140063292

We will do that by enhancing our intelligencegathering capacity not only here in the United States because we have taken major steps since the attack on our country on September 11. but we need a seamless system with our allies in Europe and our global partners to share timely information so we can track those who want to do harm to us and so we can apprehend foreigntrained fighters who have joined the terrorists and then go back to Europe or try to enter the United States. We need to know where they are. apprehend them. and get them out of our community. Let me mention a couple of issues that have come to light just recently. that is. our policies with regard to refugees. I want to make it clear that we have to have the most stringent security screening. so that when we are settling refugees. we dont allow anyone with any association to terrorist organizations to be able to enter the United States. I also think it is important that we understand the current procedures and processes that are in place and how it differs dramatically from Europe. In Europe. they literally have millions of refugees who are fleeing Syria and who get into Europe. They usually get in at a border country to the Middle East. over water. and then of course enter Europe and can travel throughout that continent. There is virtually no screening. In the United States. before we will resettle a refugee under the auspices of the United Nations. there is a requirement for an inperson interview. biographic checks. interagency checks. biometric screening. including fingerprinting. initial case review by the Department of Homeland Security before an inperson interview. and it goes on and on and on. My constituents and the Presiding Officers constituents want to make sure that those security screenings are strong enough to make sure terrorists cant get into the United States. and we have a responsibility to make sure that in fact is the case. but I also point out that millions travel to the United States freely through our borders because it is a small world and people travel. They travel here for vacation. and they travel here for family. We have relationships with many countries. a program known as the Visa Waiver Program. where individuals can travel to the United States without obtaining a visa. It is interesting that if a person has a French passport. they can enter the United States without a visa. So we need to make sure that anyone who attempts to come to America. we know that. that if they are dangerous. we have that information. and as a result we can prevent them from entering our country. I say all of this because I hope that what happened in France will energize us in unity to carry out our most important responsibility. which is to keep America safe and keep Americans safe.