‘Strengthens Our Defense’

SEN. McCONNELL: “Passing the American SAFE Act, which the House has already done by a bipartisan veto-proof margin, would show Americans that their concerns are being heard in Washington.” (Sen. McConnell, Press Release, 1/19/2016)

SEN. GRASSLEY: “President Obama needs to listen to the concerns voiced by more than half of the nation's governors, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, on both sides of Capitol Hill, and the American people from across the entire country.” (Sen. Grassley, Floor Remarks, 1/19/2016)

American SAFE Act Passed The House With A Bipartisan ‘Veto-Proof Majority’

Forty-seven House Democrats voted for the American SAFE Act. (H.R. 4038, House Roll Call Vote #643, Passed 289-137: R 242-2; D 47-135, 11/19/2015)

“The bill had near unanimous support from Republicans, who were joined by 47 Democrats — even after the Obama administration made a last-minute pitch to persuade wavering House Democrats to oppose the GOP-written bill. And with 289 ‘yes’ votes, Republicans also won a veto-proof majority for the measure.” (“House Approves Syrian Refugees Bill,” Politico, 11/19/2015)

“Obama refugee argument fails as Democrats desert” (“Analysis: Obama Refugee Argument Fails As Democrats Desert,” The Associated Press, 11/19/2015)

House Dems: ‘It Isn't What It Was Characterized As, So Why Would We Oppose That?’

REP. SCOTT PETERS (D-CA): “If you look at the bill, it’s hard to see how it’s as awful as the administration is portraying it as.” (“White House Scrambles To Regain Control Of Refugee Debate,” Politico, 11/19/2015)

• PETERS: “It is not too burdensome for federal agencies to certify that admitted refugees will not endanger our communities.” (“Inside The Syrian Refugee Vote: California Representatives Explain What Shaped Their Votes,” Los Angeles Times, 11/20/2015)

REP. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY (D-NY): “It is offensive to me that we would stigmatize refugees…but if you read the bill what you find is that you have a pretty simple certification process sitting on top of an existing and extensive screening process that most of us believe works pretty well.” (“House Approves Syrian Refugees Bill,” Politico, 11/19/2015)

REP. GERRY CONNOLLY (D-VA): “It's one more assurance that those coming into the country are screened. . . . That seems to me not an imprudent measure under the circumstances.” (“House Approves Syrian Refugees Bill,” Politico, 11/19/2015)

• CONNOLLY: “It isn't what it was characterized as, so why would we oppose that?” (“House Dems Back GOP On Bill To Pause Admittance Of Some Refugees,” The Huffington Post, 11/19/2015)

REP. KYRSTEN SINEMA (D-AZ): “Today's bill strengthens the refugee vetting process so we can continue to shelter those in need and keep our homeland safe from terrorism.” (“Kyrsten Sinema's Surprising Vote On Syrian Refugees,” The Arizona Republic, 11/20/2015)

• “In a written statement Thursday, Sinema said she voted for the refugee bill because ‘we must take every step to keep our country safe from terrorism.’” (“Kyrsten Sinema's Surprising Vote On Syrian Refugees,” The Arizona Republic, 11/20/2015)

REP. BRAD ASHFORD (D-NE): “I cannot sit back and ignore the concerns of my constituents and the American public.” (“House Passes Syrian Refugee Bill Obama Can't Veto, The Associated Press, 11/18/2015)

REP. PETE AGUILAR (D-CA): “The added level of security does not diminish our commitment to helping the innocent men, women and children fleeing the grips of Islamic State militants or the Assad regime, rather it strengthens our defense and will enable us to move forward through a safer and more secure process to relocate refugees.” (“Inside The Syrian Refugee Vote: California Representatives Explain What Shaped Their Votes,” Los Angeles Times, 11/20/2015)

REP. JANICE HAHN (D-CA): “The legislation under consideration [Thursday] adds additional layers of security, and because I believe that it will help to assuage fears I was happy to support it. We do not need to choose between security and compassion.” (“Inside The Syrian Refugee Vote: California Representatives Explain What Shaped Their Votes,” Los Angeles Times, 11/20/2015)

REP. JIM HIMES (D-CT): “I kind of wish [the Obama administration] had taken the approach of acknowledging that this is not a bill at odds with our values and working with the House and the Senate — even if they don’t like it — to make it better.” (“White House Loses Votes to GOP on Syrian Refugee Bill,” Roll Call, 11/19/2015)