{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/fight-to-stop-syrian-refugees-is-just-starting-byrne-says", "Fight to Stop Syrian Refugees is Just Starting, Byrne Says", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "AL", "Bradley Byrne", "B001289", "byrne.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement today regarding his vote in support of H.R. 4038, the American SAFE Act of 2015.\nByrne said: Im committed to doing everything in my power to stop the Syrian refugee resettlement program. The bill that passed the House today would require the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of the FBI, and the Director of National Intelligence to all certify that each individual refugee does not represent a security threat before any refugee can be allowed into the United States. As some Democrats point out, this bill would delay the Syrian refugee process for at least two years. \nTodays bill is just the start of a larger response to the Syrian refugee crisis. I will continue to push the House to pass my bill, which would defund the Syrian refugee resettlement program and ensure no Syrian refugees enter the United States. The national security of the American people must always be our top priority.\nH.R. 4038, the American SAFE Act of 2015, would require the Secretary of National Security, the Director of the FBI, and the Director of National Intelligence all unanimously certify that a refugee does not represent a security threat. The bill passed by a veto-proof vote of 289 to 137.\nWhile traveling overseas, President Obama issued a veto threat on the bill.\nByrne said: While President Obama is issuing veto threats from halfway around the world, the Peoples House is focused on listening to our constituents and keeping the American people safe. It is inexcusable for the President to threaten to veto a bill which would help keep the American people safe.\nCongressman Byrne has been a leading voice in Congress against allowing Syrian refugees into the United States. Yesterday, Congressman Byrne introduced H.R. 4031, the Defund the Syrian Refugee Resettlement Program Act of 2015. This bill would eliminate all funding from going toward resettling refugees from Syria. Congressman Byrne believes defunding the program gives Congress the best opportunity to actually halt the Syrian refugee resettlement program.\nOn Monday, Byrne sent a letter to President Obama demanding he halt the Syrian refugee resettlement program. He has also co-sponsored H.R. 3573, the Refugee Resettlement Oversight and Security Act, which would give Congress the power to block any refugee resettlement plan and would require Congress to approve any plan before refugees can arrive in the United States.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://byrne.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/fight-to-stop-syrian-refugees-is-just-starting-byrne-says"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.7449138686060905, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}