The bill would require high-level officials to certify that each Syrian and Iraqi refugee coming to the U.S. does not pose a safety risk.
Two members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation voted with the Republican majority in the House of Representatives Thursday to strengthen the vetting procedure for Syrian refugees entering the U.S.
The fourth district’s Jim Himes and the second district’s Joe Courtney, both Democrats, voted for the legislation that’s been dubbed the American SAFE Act -- a bill that would require certain high-level federal officials to personally certify that Syrian and Iraqi refugees entering the country do not pose a safety risk.
"Public confidence right now, given the events of Paris, and what’s going on, I actually think is a big deal," Rep. Courtney told WNPR.
Courtney believes the refugee screening process is already robust. "What the bill basically says is at the end of that process, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of the FBI, the Director of Intelligence will certify there’s no security risk. Period. That’s it," he said.
Its critics have said the bill aims to slow down the refugee resettlement program to the point where it’s practically unworkable, but Courtney doesn’t believe that would be the effect.
"I mean, it’s hard for me to imagine why it should," Courtney said. "Certainly, the process of certifying work that’s already been completed is a simple step. Why is this such a difficulty for these agencies, given that they’ve already done all the leg work?"
Courtney took care to praise the actions of Governor Dannel Malloy in taking refugees who are being turned away from other states, saying he is standing up for the values of the people of Connecticut.
"The notion that we're going to just turn people away is repugnant," Courtney said.
Jim Himes, meanwhile, characterized the legislation as an enhancement of the refugee program, saying he shares the concern of his constituents that Congress must act to prevent terrorism on U.S. soil in the wake of the Beirut and Paris attacks.
The other three Connecticut representatives had a different view of the bill. Elizabeth Esty said she believes the measure would effectively halt admission of refugees, while Rosa DeLauro called the bill a "knee-jerk reaction to fear."
The measure is not expected to pass the Senate, and the President has already said he would veto any such legislation.
