American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act of 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today first to reaffirm our solidarity with the people of France, our brethren in Beirut, and the families of the victims of Metrojet Flight 9268 who perished over the skies of the Sinai. The senseless and unspeakable violence, the blind fanaticism, the utter and irrational hatred for human life by ISIS, together they present a threat not just to national and global security, but also to the fundamental values that constitute the very fiber of civilization.

Mr. Speaker, ISIS must be stopped. The violence must end. And the United States must do more--more to stamp out this evil, more to eradicate the threats posed here and abroad, and more to ensure that Americans can tuck in their children at night with a feeling of security that they will be waking up tomorrow morning for school free from fear. That is why we must support the SAFE Act. It is thoughtful, and it will further one of our principal national security priorities--keeping Americans safe--as we work to eliminate the threat posed by ISIS.

The instability in Syria and the surrounding region has continued unabated for more than 4 years, and we have witnessed an indescribable humanitarian crisis because of the brutality of the Assad regime and radical Islamic groups such as ISIS.

In the wake of the Paris tragedy, we must step back and review the procedures in place for admitting refugees resulting from this conflict coming into our country. We can and must implement a system that assists the victims of the tragedy but that also prioritizes American security first.

H.R. 4038 will ensure that no refugee from Iraq or Syria steps foot on U.S. soil without the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI Director, and the highest intelligence officer certifying that each refugee is not a security threat to the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and the Director of National Intelligence must unanimously certify that a person seeking refuge in this country does not represent a security threat. This is an unprecedented vetting process to ensure dangerous people do not slip through the cracks.

I urge your support, all in this Chamber, so we can provide our military and intelligence personnel with the best possible chance for success as they work to keep us safe.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for the bill.

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