Plan to admit more refugees faces stiff opposition in Congress

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Politics | Mon Sep 21, 2015 3:48pm EDT

Plan to admit more refugees faces stiff opposition in Congress

WASHINGTON | BY PATRICIA ZENGERLE

White House plans to allow thousands more refugees into the United States faced stiff opposition on Monday in the U.S. Congress, where Republican lawmakers demanded the right to review, and reject, the effort, citing fears of terrorism.

Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday announced an increase of 15,000 per year for the next two years in the number of refugees the country takes in. He did not say how many would be from Syria.

Under current law, Congress does not have to approve the Democratic administration's plan. But the House of Representatives and Senate, both controlled by Republicans, would have to appropriate money to pay for any additional effort.

That would not be easy. Many lawmakers, including some Democrats, worry that Islamist fighters posing as refugees might sneak into the country.

Republican Senator Jeff Sessions, chairman of a Senate immigration subcommittee and a critic of President Barack Obama's immigration policy, called the plan expensive and dangerous.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/21/us-europe-migrants-congress-idUSKCN0RL1V320150921

[pampango]

1. "Republican lawmakers demanded the right to review, and reject, the effort ..."

Conservatives opposing refugees and immigrants. Surprise. Surprise.

[bigwillq]

2. I would vote against any plan

that would fund or allow refugees to enter this country. Not because of terrorist threats, but because we cannot even take care of folks already living in this country. Let's take care of the folks already here before we allow anyone else in.

[pinboy3niner]

4. Yeah, that would be so unAmerican

[gratuitous]

5. Considering how many refugees we've created over the years

We sort of owe it to a lot of people. But your other point is well-taken: We do need to start taking care of our own citizens better. The wealthy seem to have weathered the last 35 years of trickle-down supply-side economics all right. Let's try taxing them at a higher rate, treat capital gains and carried interest income like ordinary income, and start utilizing the incredible wealth this country's workers generate to benefit more than a select handful of overrich greedheads.

[840high]

6. So would I. Take care

of your own first. We're not doing a good job with children, elderly or veterans.

[spanone]

3. color me shocked!!!!!