SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – November 19, 2015 – (Gephardt Daily) — Utah Governor Gary Herbert has announced his support for a new bill on Capitol Hill aimed at tightening security screening of U.S. bound refugees who are fleeing the violence in Syria and Iraq.
Herbert’s endorsement for the largely GOP House led-measure comes on the heels of a previous statement by the governor calling for increased scrutiny of the process for refugees who might be coming to Utah.
President Obama announced he will veto the bill should it pass the senate, saying the current screening process for Syrian and Iraqi refugees, which is up to two years long, is more than sufficient.
47 House Democrats were unswayed by the president and voted in favor of the bill.
Herbert’s statement released Thursday morning is as follows:
“Today, I express my support for H.R. 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015, which is being considered by the U.S. House of Representatives. The American SAFE Act increases the rigor of the screening process for refugees coming to the United States without instituting an outright ban. I believe these actions are necessary and in the best interest of Utahns.
“To protect public safety, the federal government must have a sufficient screening process in place to prevent terrorists from entering the country, while providing relief to those who are seeking asylum from violence and oppression. National security cannot be the sole responsibility of individual states and should not be a partisan issue. I am disappointed President Obama has threatened to veto this critical legislation.
“My first priority as governor is the safety and security of Utah residents. As Americans, we must remember that once a terrorist enters any one state, that person has effectively entered all 50 states. As the U.S. Constitution clearly indicates, national security must be the first priority of the federal government. With a vote expected on this legislation soon, I encourage all members of Utah’s Congressional delegation to support its passage. I also encourage Congress to look at this issue comprehensively, acknowledging that terrorism knows no border nor nationality.
“The President working with the Congress, and our coalition partners around the world, must also address the root issues causing the out-migration of hundreds of thousands of people in the Middle East: stamping out the threat that is ISIS and eradicating the cancer that is terrorism. Until these twin evils are addressed, people all over the world will continue to suffer.”
(DEVELOPING)
