WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin both released statements Wednesday after a debate was voted down by the Senate on the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act.
The SAFE Act aims to strengthen the vetting standards for refugees coming into the United States from Iraq and Syria.
The Senate blocked debate on the bill by a 55-43 vote.
“While our country has a long history of welcoming refugees and has an important role to play in the heartbreaking Syrian refugee crisis, it is the government’s responsibility to protect the American people. It is for this reason that I voted in support of legislation that will strengthen vetting standards for refugees coming into our country from Iraq and Syria,” Manchin said. “We need to ensure that any refugee who comes to the United States does not present a threat to the American people, and right now, we cannot guarantee that. Compassion for Syrian refugees is important, but our first priority is, and should always be, protecting the American people.”
Capito also opposed the decision that was made.
“The American SAFE Act would simply require the nation’s top security officials to verify background checks and declare that those wishing to enter the U.S. do not pose a threat, and I am deeply disappointed that Senate Democrats blocked debate on this bipartisan national security bill. I will continue to pursue commonsense reforms that both protect our domestic security and safely admit those refugees in need,” Capito said in part of a statement.
In the wake of ISIS terrorist attacks last November in Paris, Capito and several senators sent a letter to President Obama expressing opposition to admitting any refugees from Syria unless U.S. officials can verify that the refugee is not a member of ISIS and does not pose a terrorist threat to the United States.