[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 171 (Thursday, November 19, 2015)]
[House]
[Page H8365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SAFETY OF AMERICAN FAMILIES
(Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, the first value of
American leadership is the safety and security of our citizens.
While it is important to support those fleeing conflicts across the
globe, the CIA Director's recent statements on the distinct possibility
of additional attacks and the national security implications
surrounding Syrian refugees at this point are too great to ignore.
The FBI has also indicated that it is next to impossible to
appropriately screen refugees. For this reason, I have called upon the
President to place a hold on admitting refugees into the country.
Additionally, I have joined with members of the Pennsylvania
congressional delegation in requesting that Governor Tom Wolf also
place a moratorium on accepting refugees into the Commonwealth.
The House today will consider legislation that suspends refugee
admissions until we assure that adequate screening security for threats
is in place.
We must not take any chances that could put our country at risk. This
is the first in many steps that will provide Americans security, while
also supporting our long-term humanitarian tradition in this country.
I encourage my colleagues to support the SAFE Act that will be on the
floor later this morning.
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