U.S Representative Mike Coffman (CO-06) released the following statement on his "YES' vote for H.R. 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act. This legislation halts the admission of refugees until the Obama Administration can implement the following conditions:
1) the FBI Director must certify a background check for each individual refugee.
2) the Secretary of Homeland Security, along with the FBI Director and the Director of National Intelligence, must certify to Congress that each individual refugee is not a national-security threat.
3) the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General is required to conduct an independent assessment of refugee approvals to ensure that individuals that pose a national security risk do not slip through the cracks.
"The first obligation of the Federal Government is to ensure the safety and protection of the American People," Coffman said. "That is why I voted 'yes' on the SAFE Act today."
"While this is a step forward in ensuring a security check for any refugee admission into the U.S., there is still much to be done," Coffman continued. "'Safe zones' are needed to protect innocent Syrian civilians so that they can safely remain in their own country."