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house Bill H.R. 4044

Keeping Federal Funds From Being Used to Admit Refugees from Middle East Conflict Zones

Argument in favor

Even the federal government admits that its process for vetting refugees is inadequate, so it makes sense to pause refugee admissions from countries where terror groups like ISIS have a strong presence while security screenings are improved.

operaman's Opinion
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03/08/2016
No cash until each person can be screened PERIOD. Can't trust POTUS.
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BTSundra's Opinion
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03/08/2016
Don't let a single one in, we don't want crime and terrorism.
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ThomasParker's Opinion
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03/09/2016
This bill would halt refugees coming to the United States from countries with known ties to terrorist organizations. Our agencies are not yet prepared to vet these people and verify who is and who is not a threat, and until that process is in place, we should hold off.
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Argument opposed

This bill does nothing to improve the vetting process, and if Congress is going to block refugee admissions from certain countries for even a short period it should be working towards a more secure system where all refugees can be screened and admitted.

BernieSanders's Opinion
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03/08/2016
"So, in terms of refugees, I believe that the United States has the moral responsibility with Europe, with Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia to make sure that when people leave countries like Afghanistan and Syria with nothing more than the clothing on their back that, of course, we reach out." [factcheck.org]
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BarackObama's Opinion
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03/09/2016
“Nearly four centuries after the Mayflower set sail, the world is still full of pilgrims – men and women who want nothing more than the chance for a safer, better future for themselves and their families... People should remember that no refugee can enter our borders until they undergo the highest security checks of anyone traveling to the United States.” [theguardian.com]
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CSpencerBrzezinski's Opinion
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03/10/2016
1) We need to do our part in opening up our country as a place of refuge, if we expect the EU and others to do the same. When victims are forced to stay, they are much more likely to become disenfranchised and have little reason not to join the terrorist groups oppressing them. 2) Entering the US as a refugee is actually one of the most difficult ways to enter the US legally. The screening process is quite extensive as it exists. 3) This bill does nothing to counteract terrorism; it just incentivizes potential terrorists to come in through other countries.
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bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
  • The house has not voted
      house Committees
      Committee on the Judiciary
      Immigration and Citizenship
    IntroducedNovember 17th, 2015

What is House Bill H.R. 4044?

This bill would prohibit federal funds from being used to admit refugees into the U.S. from certain countries that have high levels of activity by terrorist groups like the so-called Islamic State (aka ISIS or ISIL). 

The ban would apply to refugees whose country of nationality is Syria, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, or Yemen. For refugees who have no nationality, they would be covered by this ban if they last lived in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, or Yemen.

Impact

Refugees who either last lived in, or are nationals of Syria, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, or Yemen; and federal agencies responsible for screening and admitting refugees.

Cost of House Bill H.R. 4044

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

More Information

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Curt Clawson (R-FL) introduced this bill to keep the American public safe from terrorists that may attempt to take advantage of President Obama’s decision to admit refugees from areas in the Middle East controlled in part by terror groups:

“I’m not saying let’s not help our less fortunate brothers and sisters. Of course, I agree with that. I am saying let’s make sure that while we’re doing that, we are 100 percent sure that Americans are safe from any bad actors from that part of the world.”


Of Note: FBI Director James Comey told the Senate Homeland Security Committee in October 2015 that there are “gaps” in refugees’ histories that make vetting refugees from conflict zones as security risks more difficult. As a result, Comey noted that “a number of people who were of serious concern” previously slipped through the screening process including two who were subsequently arrested on charges related to terrorism.


Media:

Summary by Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: Flickr user Cluster Munition Coalition)

Official Title

To prohibit obligation of Federal funds for admission of refugees from certain countries.

    operaman's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    03/08/2016
    No cash until each person can be screened PERIOD. Can't trust POTUS.
    Like (13)
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    BernieSanders's Opinion Against
    ···
    03/08/2016
    "So, in terms of refugees, I believe that the United States has the moral responsibility with Europe, with Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia to make sure that when people leave countries like Afghanistan and Syria with nothing more than the clothing on their back that, of course, we reach out." [factcheck.org]
    Like (138)
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    BarackObama's Opinion Against
    ···
    03/09/2016
    “Nearly four centuries after the Mayflower set sail, the world is still full of pilgrims – men and women who want nothing more than the chance for a safer, better future for themselves and their families... People should remember that no refugee can enter our borders until they undergo the highest security checks of anyone traveling to the United States.” [theguardian.com]
    Like (46)
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    BTSundra's Opinion In Favor
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    03/08/2016
    Don't let a single one in, we don't want crime and terrorism.
    Like (10)
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    ThomasParker's Opinion In Favor
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    03/09/2016
    This bill would halt refugees coming to the United States from countries with known ties to terrorist organizations. Our agencies are not yet prepared to vet these people and verify who is and who is not a threat, and until that process is in place, we should hold off.
    Like (8)
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    Loraki's Opinion In Favor
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    03/09/2016
    FBI REPEATS WARNING THAT U.S. CAN'T CONDUCT THOROUGH BACKGROUND CHECKS ON SYRIAN REFUGEES Updated: Thu, Oct 22nd 2015 @ 4:09 pm EDT FBI director, James Comey, repeated his claim that the U.S. does not have the ability to thoroughly screen #Syrian refugees for #terrorist ties. The Obama administration has said they want to increase the refugee cap from 70,000 to 85,000 next year with at least 10,000 coming from Syria. During the House Committee hearing on Homeland Security on Wednesday Director Comey responded to a question from Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) saying, “We can only query against that which we have collected and so if someone has never made a ripple in the pond in Syria in a way that would get their identity or their interest reflected in our database, we can query our database until the cows come home, but there will be nothing show up because we have no record of them.” The FBI director also described the differences between the U.S.’s ability to screen Syrian refugees versus Iraq refugees after the Iraq War. “And with respect with Iraqi databases, we had far more because of our country’s work there for a decade,” he said. This is a different situation,” he said. Read more at the Daily Caller: http://dailycaller.com/2015/10/21/fbi-director-admits-us-cant-vet-all-syrian-refugees-for-terror-ties-video/
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    CSpencerBrzezinski's Opinion Against
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    03/10/2016
    1) We need to do our part in opening up our country as a place of refuge, if we expect the EU and others to do the same. When victims are forced to stay, they are much more likely to become disenfranchised and have little reason not to join the terrorist groups oppressing them. 2) Entering the US as a refugee is actually one of the most difficult ways to enter the US legally. The screening process is quite extensive as it exists. 3) This bill does nothing to counteract terrorism; it just incentivizes potential terrorists to come in through other countries.
    Like (6)
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    Stephen's Opinion In Favor
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    03/09/2016
    Admitting more refugees without vetting them is very dangerous. Obama refuses to acknowledge what has already happened in Europe.
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    David's Opinion Against
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    03/10/2016
    This bill is pure hate mongering. The government already does more checking of refugees than any other country. Canada, for example, has admitted more than 10 times the number of refugees than the US. the bill should be defeated.
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    Seeya's Opinion In Favor
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    03/08/2016
    Use the funds to set up safe zones in their own countries. We should be exporting freedom to the world via the adoption of our constitution, not importing third world psychopaths to dilute our voter base. Wake up sheeple.
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    ptcdcs's Opinion In Favor
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    04/29/2016
    It is evident that we cannot properly vet those coming into our country, so we shouldn't help them.
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    Debra's Opinion In Favor
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    03/16/2016
    " Yes" To stop spending our money's to let terrorists that are pretending to be innocent refugees into USA !
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    Landria's Opinion In Favor
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    04/25/2016
    It's an open door to the enemy
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    Buster's Opinion In Favor
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    03/09/2016
    No more SO called refugees until we take of our own CITIZENS here at home
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    Zach's Opinion In Favor
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    03/10/2016
    We can't have terrorists in this country, we are also 20 trillion dollars in debt we cannot pay for refugees regardless of whether or not they are terrorists. It is not the job of the US to pay for everyone.
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    Alexis's Opinion Against
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    03/09/2016
    Xenophobia is not the road to take when it comes to aiding people in need of freedom. Humans have an obligation to aid other humans or there will continue to be social unrest and distrust. Document these people so that they can contribute to our economy and work force. That is how we build a stronger nation.
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    rclementine's Opinion Against
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    03/09/2016
    Refugees are fleeing the same terrorists we're afraid of. Not taking them in, and taking the "tired, the poor, the hungry" as our forefathers intended goes against our American values and makes us bigots.
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    Rita 's Opinion In Favor
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    03/10/2016
    Do you not even realize what all these people are causing. It destroys a nation.
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    Jeffery's Opinion In Favor
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    03/12/2016
    Send them somewhere, send them support, but don't send them to my city.
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    Connor's Opinion In Favor
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    04/05/2016
    This has little to no affect on those refugees. The European countries are taking them in, so they can go there. The only difference is that they won't be in the US. They are a constant threat, and we already too many shootings and rape in our country.
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