Post by bot on Feb 5, 2017 17:19:58 GMT -5
Hoyer Discusses President Trump's Muslim Ban at Forum with House Democrats
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) discussed President Trump's Muslim ban during a forum hosted by the House Judiciary Committee. Below is a transcript of his opening remarks:
“I don’t know that I’m pleased to be here, because we ought not to be here, discussing this subject we’re discussing. But I thank the Ranking Member John Conyers and I thank the Ranking Member of the… Immigration Subcommittee… Thank you to Zoe Lofgren. And I thank the Leader for helping make sure this hearing goes on. It should be going on at the Judiciary Committee. The Judiciary Committee should be extraordinarily concerned with the actions that have been taken, which are, in many ways, unprecedented.
"Let me make it clear to everybody, there is not a Democrat serving in the House of Representatives that is not very concerned and committed to making sure that America and Americans are safe and prevent those who harm Americans and America from being admitted to this country. Every American ought to know that not a single refugee from any one of the seven countries has ever committed a terrorist act [in the US]. I asked that of General Kelly two days ago who is the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security: ‘Has any refugee from any one of the seven countries which has been named in this executive order ever committed an act of terrorism in the United States?’ And he said no. Every American ought to understand that.
“President Trump’s unconstitutional Muslim ban plays right into the hands of our enemies and threatens both our safety and our principles. Already, we are seeing a backlash that has serious consequences for our national security. In the days since the ban was imposed, and notwithstanding the fact that some people say that it’s not a ban, the President of the United States continues to call it, and believes it to be, a ban. It is what he said he would do in the campaign, and that is what he has done, put a ban on, which amounts to, because of the way it is worded, as a religious test for admission to the United States of America. Never have we done that.
"In the days since the ban was imposed, the Iraqi parliament - the Iraqi parliament - outraged and insulted, has passed a reciprocal ban. My understanding is that a four star general, who has been visiting the United States for ten years and has been fighting terrorism on the front lines is barred by the President’s executive order from coming to the United States. Which he’s been doing for the last ten years to coordinate activities with our own military. Instead of making us safer, this ban will aid ISIS both materially and as a potent recruitment tool.
“For those non-immigrants or non-refugees teetering on the edge of radicalization, both here in America or in Europe, this ban could very well be the tipping point. What a bad strategy. It is, in my view, unconstitutional. It is both bad in terms of the law, and it is bad in terms of policy. It’s no wonder that less than a third of Americans feel that the ban makes them safer, according to a new Reuters/IPSOS poll.
“We’re going to hear shortly from an Iraqi interpreter who served alongside U.S. forces, now under threat of not being allowed into the country if they travel abroad. Earlier this week, U.S. combat veterans shared their stories, those who fought overseas at the point of the spear on behalf of keeping America safe. They’re protesting this ban and one of them, former Marine Sergeant Andrew Biggio, said, and I quote, ‘We owe them. You want to talk about saving American lives from terrorists? These interpreters did that, they saved a lot of our lives.’
“Five year old young girl came back to Dulles airport, she was not with her mother or father, she was with other family, and she was kept for four hours, a five year old little girl, four hours from seeing her mother at the airport because of this ban.
“President Trump, end this ban. Not only because it’s wrong, but because it puts Americans and our allies in danger. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity and for convening this opportunity.”