House Democrats grill Obama officials at closed door refugee meeting

[ericson00]

Source: CNN

White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson faced strong resistance from House Democrats at a closed door meeting Thursday morning on the U.S. refugee program.
....
That sentiment raises the prospect that a large swath of House Democrats could join Republicans in supporting the House GOP legislation, which would suspend the program allowing Syrian and Iraqi refugees into the U.S. until key national security agencies certify they don't pose a security risk. The Obama administration has threatened to veto the bill but it's possible the measure could pass through the House with a veto-proof majority...

New York Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney told Johnson that the issue is "toxic" and the administration arguments are "insufficient."

House Democratic leaders are not "whipping" this bill, meaning they are not pressuring members to back the Administration and oppose the bill.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/19/politics/house-democrats-refugee-hearings-obama/index.html

[underpants]

1. Basic facts are insufficient now

Well they have been for a while.

[totodeinhere]

2. This is about politics, not facts. Many Democrats are terrified of the potential

political implications of this issue with polls showing strong public opposition to resettling refugees from Syria.

And those nutcases in ISIS may be evil but they're not stupid. Of course they want a holy war with the West. And if the Republicans win the next election they just might get that. So they might very well plan some sort of terrorist attack shortly before the election hoping that it might tip the election to the Republicans.

We hear a lot about fear these days. I absolutely am not afraid of Syrian women and children who are trying to flee tyranny, but I am very afraid that demagogues could use this to help the Republicans politically.

[underpants]

3. Well said

[Democat]

4. If you don't want this issue to lead to a Republican takeover in 2016

That means you support racism and hatred, not that you believe in strategy and doing what's right for all refugees in the long run.

Check the other threads.

[totodeinhere]

6. I don't understand what you are trying to say.

Surely you don't really mean that if I don't want the Republicans to take over in 2016 that means I support racism and hatred. No, I oppose racism and hatred and that's why I don't want the Republicans to win.

[elleng]

5. 'the issue is "toxic" and the administration arguments are "insufficient."'

that is, the Constitution just won't fly.