Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015, which passed the House on a vote of 289-137.
"While compassion and assistance to refugees are hallmarks of our nation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Counterterrorism Center, and the Department of Homeland Security have all raised concerns about the ability to vet refugees," said Rep. Newhouse. "These concerns, coupled with recent terror attacks and threats to our own homeland, underscore that our first responsibility is to ensure the security of the American people. I strongly support legislation to pause the resettlement of Syrian or Iraqi refugees in the U.S. until stringent vetting processes certified by the nation's top security officials confirm that there is no threat posed to Americans."