Chuck Schumer: “I rise this afternoon, like much of America, angry and perturbed but in resolute opposition to the President's Executive…”

“I rise this afternoon, like much of America, angry and perturbed but in resolute opposition to the President's Executive order issued on Friday. This Executive order was mean-spirited and un-American. It made us less secure. It put our troops in the field at increased risk. It was implemented in a way that caused chaos and confusion across the country. It must be reversed immediately. Let me give three reasons why. First, it ought to be reversed because it will not make us safer, as the President argues. It will make us less safe. The President's Executive order targeted seven Muslim-majority countries. Not one terrorist attack has been perpetrated on U.S. soil by a refugee from one of these countries--not one. Moreover, it could alienate and inflame the communities we need most in the fight against terrorism. As my friend Republican Senator John McCain noted, it could increase the small number of lone wolves, which pose the greatest threat of terrorism. Both the San Bernardino and Orlando attacks were done by lone wolves, American citizens importuned by the evil ISIS. This rule would have nothing to do with that. As my friend John McCain has noted, it could increase the small number of lone wolves, which pose the greatest threat of terrorism. As both Senators McCain and Graham expressed yesterday, this order is a valuable propaganda tool for ISIS. We saw that happen today. They predicted it yesterday, McCain and Graham. It happened today.…”