Dear Friends,
The attacks in Paris were a reminder that we are at war with an enemy who doesn't adhere to the rules of engagement of civilized nations. This barbaric assault on democracy was carried out by thugs who wanted to disturb how free people live. Instead, they triggered an unexpected amount of resolve from the French and relit the kinship that has existed between the United States and France since General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette fought side-by-side in the American Revolutionary War.
These attacks also triggered the need for Congress to move forward with new legislation to protect the American people against the threat of a similar attack. On Thursday, the House passed H.R. 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015
The SAFE Act creates a certification process where anyone who is seeking refugee status in the United States and who was present in Syria or Iraq after March 1, 2011, must get approval from the heads of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
Immediately after this bill passed the House, I introduced H.R. 4086, the Security Verification for Refugees Act, a bill that would further expand the vetting process proposed under the SAFE Act.
I introduced this bill because I believe America needs to remain a beacon of hope, liberty, and freedom for the rest of the world. However, in maintaining that promise, we also need to maintain our promise of defending the American people from the very real threats our enemies pose. The SAFE Act gets the ball moving in the right direction, but needs additional provisions to avoid a similar fight in Congress down the road.
My bill takes what is good about the SAFE Act and broadens those provisions to apply to a refugee from any country that poses a threat to our democracy. The attacks in Paris were a disturbing reminder of what our enemies are capable of and a wake-up call that we need to be not only reactive, but also proactive in how we deal with these threats.
Like the SAFE Act, the Security Verification for Refugees Act will give Congress additional oversight of our entire refugee vetting process and create another layer of security to ensure those seeking asylum in the United States are doing so because they want to live in the greatest country in world—not because they want to destroy it.
Once refugees are vetted, we will welcome them with open arms. In the meantime, our commitment to humanitarian efforts with the nations currently hosting and helping refugees is strong and undiminished.
Sincerely,
Representative French Hill |
News for the Week
Arkansas's 4 back refugee limits
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Hill said Thursday's vote "gets the ball moving in the right direction, but it is missing needed provisions that will avoid this same pitfall down the road."
He faulted the legislation for only covering aliens from Iraq and Syria, when there are other nations harboring terrorists and others who wish America harm.
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Honoring a Legendary Arkansan
Last week, Little Rock native and famed Tuskegee Airman, Dr. Milton Crenchaw, passed away at the age of 96. Following the news of Dr. Crenchaw's death, Rep. Hill went to the House Floor to honor his life and legacy.
You can read Rep. Hill's full remarks below.
I rise today to honor one of Arkansas’s finest sons, Dr. Milton Pitts Crenchaw, who passed away on November 17, 2015. Dr. Crenchaw was 96 years old.
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, Dr. Crenchaw became known as the “father of black aviation in Arkansas.”
Dr. Crenchaw was one of the original Supervising Squadron Commanders, providing training and instruction under the Civilian Pilot Training Program for the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.
Dr. Crenchaw served his country with more than forty years of federal service with the U.S. Army Air Corps and the U.S. Air Force.
Later in life, Dr. Crenchaw’s advocacy on behalf of veterans and his fellow Tuskegee Servicemen was relentless.
In 2007, Dr. Crenchaw, along with the other members of the Tuskegee Airmen, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
His courageous service and sacrifice to his country is an example all Americans and Arkansans can admire and will not be forgotten.
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Capping Pay for Fannie and Freddie CEOs
In August, Rep. Hill gave a Golden Fleece Award to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) for its approval of approximately $4 million in raises for each of the CEOs of the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The House closed the loop on August's Golden Fleece Award by passing a bill to cap the pay of the CEOs of these two GSEs. The bill has also passed the Senate and has been sent to the President to be signed into law. Watch Rep. Hill's floor speech in support of the legislation here.
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