House lawmakers vow to secure U.S. visas for Syrian Kurds after Trump's troop pullout

[JaneQPublic]

Source: NBC News

Two U.S. military veterans serving in Congress proposed a bill on Wednesday that would grant U.S. visas to Syrian Kurds who lawmakers say have been betrayed by President Donald Trump’s abrupt decision to pull back American troops from Syria’s northern border.

Democratic Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado and Republican Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida, both retired military officers with combat experience, announced the introduction of the bill that would provide U.S. visas to Syrian Kurds and others who worked with U.S. troops fighting the Islamic State.

The bill “will send a very strong message that the American handshake matters,” said Crow, a former U.S. Army Ranger who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Syrian Partner Protection Act sponsored by Crow and Waltz resembles “special immigrant visa" laws enacted during President George W. Bush’s administration for Iraqis and Afghans who risked their lives working for U.S. forces and who face potential retribution for their association with Americans. The bill would set aside 4,000 visas a year for Syrians or others who worked alongside U.S. forces in the area as interpreters or other jobs, according to Crow’s office.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/mideast/house-lawmakers-vow-secure-u-s-visas-syrian-kurds-after-n1073851?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma

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Hope this bill becomes law...

[atreides1]

1. It's a grand gesture

Unfortunately, either Moscow Mitch won't allow it to come to the floor of the Senate, or Putin's bitch in the White House will veto it!!!

Anyone want to take bets???

[JaneQPublic]

3. These days, what bill isn't a grand gesture?

Well over 500 House-passed bills currently wait on Moscow Mitch's desk for action.

[dalton99a]

2. Stephen Miller will not allow it

[abqtommy]

4. If only we could rescind the visas and passports of tRUMP et al. If we can approve freedom of

travel then we should be able to deny it.

[lark]

5. Wonderful gesture, but IMO drumpf would veto it.

It's possible repugs could talk him out of it due to the optics, but don't know if PUtin would allow it?

[not fooled]

6. Fewer skilled fighters in the area?

vlad might well approve shipping out members of an opposing force (even though the Kurds have come to some sort of agreement with Russia, apparently?).

[keithbvadu2]

7. Trump will let them keep the underwear.

Trump will let them keep the underwear.