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U.S. NEWS A3
Thursday 19 November 2015
GLANCE: Obama warns of veto on GOP bill on Syrian refugees
Bill to increase ERICA WERNER veto threat. “If the intel- funding for the refugee gence, to certify that each
screening of all Associated Press ligence and law-enforce- program — foreshadowing refugee being admitted
refugees from WASHINGTON (AP) — The ment community cannot another potential govern- poses no security threat.
Syria and Iraq White House threatened a certify that a person pres- ment shutdown fight. The FBI also would be
presidential veto Wednes- ents no threat, then they Only around 2,200 Syrian tasked with coming up with
The Associated Press day of House Republicans should not be allowed in.” refugees have been al- a way to conduct a “thor-
WASHINGTON (AP) — The legislation aimed at in- Senate action, though, is lowed into this country in ough background investi-
House will vote Thursday creasing screenings for Syr-
on a bill aimed at boost- ian and Iraqi refugees be- From left, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., Rep. Dan Newhouse
ing screening of Syrian and fore they enter the United R-Wash., Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, and Rep. Trent Franks, R-Ariz., con-
Iraqi refugees before they States, calling new require- fer on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, following a meeting of the conserva-
enter the United States. ments in the bill “unten- tive Republican Study Committee ahead of legislation aimed at increasing screenings for Syrian
President Barack Obama, able.” and Iraqi refugees before they enter the U.S., including a requirement for FBI background checks.
who wants to allow 10,000 The legislation, which sets
more Syrians into the U.S. high hurdles for refugee (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
this year, has threatened admissions including FBI
to veto it. background checks and not likely until after Con- the last four years and they gation” of refugees fleeing
Some details on the cur- individual sign-offs by top gress’ recess for a Nov. 26 already go through a com- chaos and horror. Although
rent screening process: federal officials, “would holiday. prehensive vetting process Syrians tend to be heav-
—Obama administration provide no meaningful And with little chance for that can take as much as ily documented, Demo-
officials say current screen- additional security for the the bill to become law, sev- three years, including bio- crats questioned how that
ing of Syrians is more rigor- American people, instead eral conservatives said the metric screening, finger- could be accomplished.
ous than for any other set serving only to create signif- real action could come printing and additional The current refugee pro-
of travelers. icant delays and obstacles on a pending must-pass classified controls. The new gram, along with Obama’s
—The checks are con- in the fulfillment of a vital year spending bill that has bill would add a require- plan to add 10,000 more
ducted by multiple federal program that satisfies both to clear by Dec. 11 in or- ment for the Homeland Se- Syrian refugees this year,
intelligence and law en- humanitarian and national der to keep the govern- curity secretary, along with would likely come to a stop
forcement agencies and security objectives,” the ment running. Some want the head of the FBI and the while the new protocol is
include an interview over- White House said. to use that bill to cut off Director of National Intelli- established.q
seas, biometrics, finger- President Barack Obama
printing and biographical would veto the legislation
investigations to determine if it reaches his desk, the
if individuals meet the stan- statement concluded.
dards for refugee status or Republican leaders, eager
if they pose security risks. to respond quickly to Fri-
Syrians are subject to ad- day’s terror attacks in Paris,
ditional, classified controls. had described the bill as a
—The Homeland Security middle ground approach.
Department makes the fi- It institutes tough new
nal decision on whether a screening requirements,
refugee is accepted. but steers clear of de-
—The current acceptance mands from some Republi-
rate for Syrians is around 50 cans, including presidential
percent. candidates, for religious
—Of the roughly 2,500 Syr- questioning or a complete
ians the U.S. has taken in end to the U.S. refugee pro-
since the civil war erupted gram.
in that country in the spring “This is common sense. And
of 2011, about half are chil- it’s our obligation,” Speak-
dren. Only about 2 percent er Paul Ryan said on the
are single men of combat House floor ahead of the
age. The overall pool is al-
most evenly split between Syrian refugee policy roils GOP presidential field
males and females.
The House bill would: STEVE PEOPLES Germany and placing Jap- the Latino Partnership for fears of an attack on U.S.
—Institute a new require- Associated Press anese-Americans in intern- Conservative Principles. “To soil days after the deadli-
ment for the FBI to con- ATLANTA (AP) — Some ment camps during World close the door reminds me est assault in France in 70
duct a “thorough back- Republicans are pushing War II. While conservatives of FDR not letting Jews land years.
ground investigation” of back against aggressive cite security concerns fol- in the U.S. during the years None of the suspects iden-
Syrians and Iraqis seeking opposition in their party to lowing the Paris attacks of Nazi Germany. Where tified so far in the Paris at-
entrance to the U.S. as ref- Syrian refugees resettling that may have involved Syr- are they going to go?” tacks is a Syrian refugee
ugees. in the U.S., offering fresh ian refugees, others in the Aguilar said moderate vot- and the German interior
—Require the Homeland evidence of a rift within party fear the GOP’s posi- ers who hold outsized influ- minister says the Syrian mi-
Security secretary, with the the Republican that could tion in Congress and state ence in general elections grant passport found at the
“unanimous concurrence” complicate the party’s out- capitals across the country could view Republican scene is likely a fake.
of the head of the FBI and reach to minorities heading reeks of xenophobia. opposition as extreme and Yet a number of Repub-
of the Director of National into the 2016 presidential “A refugee is someone intolerant. He warned that lican presidential candi-
Intelligence, to certify to contest. who has a credible fear could haunt the Republi- dates, governors and Sen-
congressional committees These Republicans have that they’re going to be cans in next fall’s general ate Republicans have is-
that the person does not joined Democrats who lik- killed,” said Alfonso Aguilar, election. But Republicans sued calls to delay or stop
pose a security threat.q en the refugee backlash to a Republican who served pressing for a pause in the accepting Syrian refugees.
the U.S. government turn- in the George W. Bush ad- refugee influx see a need Legislation introduced by
ing away Jews fleeing Nazi ministration and now leads to be mindful, too, about Kentucky Sen. q
