House Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday he does not understand why President Obama is threatening to veto a bill that would halt the Syrian and Iraqi refugee resettlement program until security vetting is improved.
“It baffles me,” Ryan, R-Wis., told reporters. “I for the life of me don’t understand … especially given that his own top law enforcement officials came to Congress and testified that there are gaps in the refugee program.”
The House on Thursday was poised to pass the legislation with overwhelming and bipartisan support. It would prevent Iraqi or Syrian refugees from entering the United States unless the FBI, Homeland Security and Director of National Intelligence certifies that none are a terror or safety threat.
The Obama administration announced Wednesday the president would veto the bill if it reaches his desk. Administration officials said the plan would “only … create significant delays and obstacles in the fulfillment of a vital program that satisfies both humanitarian and national security objectives.”
Ryan read testimony from Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and FBI Director James Comey, who both told Congress recently that they did not have the ability to fully investigate the backgrounds of all the refugees.
Democratic leaders have condemned the bill, even though dozens of their rank-and-file are expected to vote for it.
“Protecting the American homeland is not about Democrats or Republicans,” Ryan said, adding, “I’m just really quite surprised,” by the veto threat.
