[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 497]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           AMERICAN SAFE ACT

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, it is clear that many Americans are 
concerned about the administration's ability to properly vet thousands 
of individuals from Syria and Iraq. Elected officials in both parties 
have expressed concern, too, as have administration officials. That is 
why many Americans are asking us to take a step back and press pause on 
the program so we can ensure that we have the correct policies and 
security screenings actually in place. The Senate will consider 
balanced, bipartisan legislation tomorrow to do just that.
  Passing the American SAFE Act, which the House has already done with 
a bipartisan veto-proof margin, would show Americans that their 
concerns are being heard here in Washington. The aim is to ensure that 
we have facts first so we can help advance America's tradition of 
compassion and address the legitimate concerns of her citizens at the 
same time.
  I will have more to say on this legislation tomorrow, but I urge 
colleagues across the aisle to treat this issue with the seriousness it 
deserves. This debate should be driven by facts and common sense and 
not fear mongering about targeting widows and orphans or other straw 
man arguments the White House has made from time to time. Americans 
deserve a vetting process they can have confidence in, and frankly the 
refugees coming to this country deserve one too. Safeguards that weed 
out ISIL sympathizers can help ensure legitimate refugees to our 
country are not unfairly stigmatized.
  The American people are concerned and looking to us to lead with both 
safety and compassion. I am calling on colleagues to help us do so 
tomorrow by advancing this balanced and bipartisan legislation.

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