Senate Democrats are shutting down debate on a controversial bill that would have increased vetting standards for refugees.
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Cruz’s comments came the day after Sarah Palin, who is not considered part of the GOP establishment, endorsed Trump at an event in Iowa and and Republican Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad said he hoped Cruz would be defeated there because of his opposition to a renewable fuel standard that benefits corn growers.
“I believe in welcoming refugees from all countries, races and religions who are genuinely fleeing religious and political persecution”, Bazyk said.
President Barack Obama had warned he would veto the bill if it made it to his desk.
Republicans lashed out at Senate Democrats Wednesday for blocking legislation that would crack down on Syrian and Iraqi refugees coming to the USA and included a Democratic amendment backing Donald Trump’s call to ban Muslims from entering the country.
The Senate blocked a Republican bill Wednesday that would have further restricted refugees seeking to enter the United States from Iraq or Syria.
Republicans countered that the refugee bill is about national security, not Trump. But with polling indicating those candidates could split the vote, and that Trump will win New Hampshire, these leading establishment figures have been debating their best course.
The Senate is expected to consider the proposal later this week. Rejected the Democrats’ offer, the Republican leadership said they would rather have amendments to the bill voted on in regular order where Republicans and Democrats alternate in offering amendments. “Republicans who support these illogical plans should be prepared for the next logical step: voting on his vision of America”. A vote on that proposal has the potential to embarrass Republicans.
Syrian refugees have become a major point of contention between the two parties in the aftermath of the November Paris terrorist attacks which were initially reported as having been carried out by Syrian refugees. “And turning our backs on refugees fleeing the violence in Syria would only feed into ISIS’s false message that we are at war with all Muslims, rather than with terrorist groups like ISIS”.
Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) denounced the move, saying Democrats were “bringing the circus to town”. Incidents in Europe, which has been overwhelmed by refugees flooding its borders without undergoing security checks, have also spurred fears.
Democrats had also sought to play politics.
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“By advancing this bill, Republicans are creating a bad distraction for the sake of embracing the hateful rhetoric and vitriol of the Republican Party’s standard bearer, Donald Trump”. “Is it any wonder that the citizens we represent are concerned?”
