Syrian Refugee Crisis

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, last week's gruesome terrorist attacks in Paris were a disturbing reminder that the war on terror is ongoing and that radical Islamic extremism represents a clear and present danger to all freedom-loving civilized people.

The time from September 11, 2001, up until today has been difficult for our Nation. We have seen our young men and women engaged in endless wars. We have lost thousands of American lives and spent a significant portion of our national treasure fighting in the Middle East. Costly mistakes were made in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya. We are understandably a war-weary people.

However, last Friday we were reminded that the consequences of inaction or of weak actions are far greater than any risks associated with making a serious and unwavering commitment to confronting and defeating radical terrorists.

ISIS is not a problem to be managed or contained. This ambitious terrorist organization is a dangerous enemy of the United States and our allies that must be eradicated. If we refuse to fight ISIS on their home turf, we will have to fight them in the streets of Paris and maybe in our own communities.

Just as the previous administration recognized that its Iraq strategy was failing and needed a jolt, it is now time for President Obama and his national security team to show that they are serious about destroying this dangerous threat to the stability of the world and to our own very lives.

Mr. Speaker, I have cosponsored a resolution authorizing the use of military force introduced by the gentleman from Illinois, my friend Adam Kinzinger. It would guarantee the President and our military every tool necessary to defeat ISIS. This resolution deserves a vote so that we can fight to win a war that we cannot afford to lose.

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Mr. Speaker, since the announcement of the President's engagement policy with the Cuban dictatorship in December of last year, we have witnessed a 78 percent spike in the number of Cubans arriving into our country. An untold number have been lost to the sea.

But they aren't only coming by sea. Thousands of Cubans are illegally entering Central American nations, making the long trek north through Mexico and entering via our southern border. Too many are at the mercy of reprehensible human trafficking rings.

Costa Rican authorities report that the number of Cubans entering their country illegally has grown from 5,400 last year to 12,166 so far this year. This problem has become so severe that the Costa Rican Government had to temporarily close its borders this past weekend.

These trends show no signs of letting up, and I am concerned about another migrant crisis overwhelming our Nation, particularly south Florida. This is a matter of our national security and requires the President's immediate attention.

Cubans on the island seem to be reacting to the administration's new policy with desperation and fear, risking their lives and their safety to escape the prison that is Castro's Cuba.

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Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the administration's proposal to provide an alternative to accreditation for providers who develop partnerships with accredited institutions. The introduction of a regulator to judge programs like computer coding boot camps can help challenge traditional accreditors to put more focus on the success of students after graduation.

This could be the groundwork for a true alternative to accreditation that would not replace the traditional system. Rather, it would enhance and allow other successful models to access funding resources to replicate and extend their reach.

Accreditors maintain an important role within higher education; however, alternative models can help deal with segments that traditional accreditors may not be able to address effectively. As a large number of students enroll in noninstitutional programs, we should encourage the growth of successful models that are providing students with a path to successful and rewarding careers.

Emphasizing outputs is an important step forward in helping the system of higher education in the United States evolve. As we continue our work toward reauthorizing the Higher Education Act here in the House, I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues to ensure that we are helping prepare students for success.

In education, one size does not fit all. This step by the administration is one in the right direction.

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