On the recordNovember 19, 2015
I associate myself with the gentleman from Massachusetts because I think it is important for my colleagues to understand that, when you talk about process, you talk about responding in the right way to crisis. Let me be very clear. The inquiry that my friends on the other side of the aisle are making is correct, to find out how we can ensure the safety and security of the American people. I sit on the Homeland Security Committee and, like my friend from New Jersey, from the very beginning, the tragedy of 9/11. I am the ranking member on the Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee. There is no way that I would stand here and jeopardize the security of the American people. Let me also say, I represent the Catholic diocese, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Services, Interfaith Ministries in my district, and I would ask my colleague on the other side of the aisle to query them about whether or not they support this legislation. There are people who understand the burdensomeness and the wrongness of the direction in which we are going. Is it appropriate to inquire and have a report to Congress to ensure that there are strictures in dealing with those coming to this country from Syria or anywhere else? Yes, it is. But is it ridiculous to ensure or to insist that this 5-year-old little girl must be individually certified by the FBI, the DNI, Counterterrorism, and the CIA, and a long litany of others? That is what we are saying.…
