Forty-seven House Democrats said yes to fearmongering and bigotry in Thursday’s vote on a bill to make it harder for Syrian refugees to enter this country—harder than a screening process that already takes 18 months and is more difficult than that faced by any other group trying to come here. So what do these profiles in courage have to say for themselves?
Arizona’s Kyrsten Sinema, who in 2007 was a lawyer for an Iraqi refugee had waited two years for a background check and citizenship, but whose political ambitions have routinely overwhelmed what once appeared to be her principles claimed that “Today's bill strengthens the refugee vetting process so we can continue to shelter those in need and keep our homeland safe from terrorism. And by “strengthens,” she means does more to keep refugees out so we can avoid sheltering those in need.
New York’s Louise Slaughter:
“This bill is a first step in modernizing our ability to respond to humanitarian emergencies, but it cannot be our last," the statement said. "America is a country of refugees and closing the door to those who have survived violence and torture would reverse centuries of American tradition.”
And yet here you are, closing the door to those who have survived violence and torture.
Colorado’s Jared Polis claims that he “wasn’t persuaded that … the security measures in the bill would, in any way, stop us from receiving more refugees.” That’s the whole point of the bill, it’s the effect experts say the bill would have, but screw it, Jared Polis isn’t convinced. Joining Polis in not being convinced the bill will do what Republicans want it to do and the White House says it will do are Gerry Connolly, Steve Israel, and Sean Patrick Maloney. And Henry Cuellar, of Texas, says “There’s nothing wrong with saying we're going to provide the best security to our people before anybody walks into the United States,” conveniently ignoring that “the best security” in this case is interpreted to mean “keep out refugees from war for years and years, because they come from predominantly Muslim countries.” Check here to find out which other Democrats voted for fear. And if you're represented by one of these Democrats, let them know how you feel
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