Democrats and Republicans in the House of Representatives chose bipartisan and balanced solutions when they worked together to pass the American SAFE Act a few weeks ago. Democrats and Republicans in the Senate should choose bipartisan and balanced solutions by working together to advance the American SAFE Act today. This bipartisan bill would allow Washington to step back. take a breath. and ensure it has correct policies and security screenings in place before moving ahead with the refugee program for Iraq and Syria. No wonder dozens of Democrats joined with Republicans to pass this balanced bill with a vetoproof majority over in the House. It is certainly worrying to hear that Senate Democrats are now being pressured to block us from even debating it. I understand the political pressure to oppose this balanced bill may be intense. but it is also intensely shortsighted. and I urge our Democratic friends to resist it. Boosting confidence in our Nations vetting process is critical for our citizens. just as it is critical for every refugee who truly needs our help. Our Democratic friends know a cloud of unfair stigmatization threatens to hang over legitimate refugees so long as Democrats block commonsense safeguards to weed out ISIL sympathizers. If our Democratic friends are serious in what they imply about promoting tolerance for widows and orphans and in strengthening security for Americans. they will not vote to block the Senate from debating balanced. bipartisan legislation that can advance both priorities simultaneously. Lets work together to enact the American SAFE Act and its reforms. and then lets work together on the root of the problem. Refugees are fleeing Syria because of a brutal civil war. and they are fleeing Iraq because the terrorist group Al Qaeda in Iraq has evolved into the largest terrorist group in historyISILso the ultimate solution is to make the region somewhere they can return to. Here is what hasnt helped: The precipitous withdrawal of our advise and assist force from Iraq. the indecision attached to drawing and erasing red lines in Syria. mocking the genuine concerns of American citizens here at home. Here is what will help: the administration cooperating across the aisle to finally develop a serious plan to confront ISIL.
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A cloud of unfair stigmatization threatens to hang over legitimate refugees so long as Democrats block commonsense safeguards to weed out ISIL sympathizers.