Regarding the Security Checks. We will not cut corners. The Security Check requirements were developed in the inner agency with the consultation and expertise of the fbi, our dhs partners, and the Intelligence Community partners and the security regime was set up with all that input. And i have heard no discussion of making any cuts to it for any reason. I would like to point out that the grant grants of Refugee Status are discretionary so that if there is a doubt, the case is referred for further review and if theres a National Security concern, that individuals application is denied. As the refugee situation continues to evolve, the administration is assessing its capacity and resource needs for fiscal year 2016 within an increased number of refugees it will be important to preserve currently available resources and fund this at a sufficient level. Mr. Chair, if i may just one question related to accountability. Mr. Bartlett, i understand that youre working with the decisions that ha
Has acknowledged they do not perform oversight of these programs. Remarkably, a similar argument for collection under these programs is marked by the arguments under the section 215 program. This is the promise of big data. This is the Technology Age in which we live. What it means is that massive amounts of information can now be collected in order to anticipate threats and to anticipate individuals who might engage in wrongdoing. That approach is what the founders rejected. While information is being collected under foreign intelligence authorities, in certain circumstances, it may be used and is being used for criminal prosecution. The problem is, our communications are now global. We have historically depended on the borders of the United States to protect us. We are no longer bound by geography in how we communicate. Our conversations go internationally routinely. When they do, they can be monitored under a mere yut of programs currently in place. Similarly, our private papers and
Then it said it planned to accept a floor of 85,000 refugees and at least 100,000 next year. Once here with Refugee Status those individuals can claim any job and collect any federal welfare benefit. Recent statistics from the department of health and Human Services office of Refugee Resettlement indicate that 75 of refugees receive food stamps and more than half receive Free Health Care and cash benefits. For refugees from the middle east the numbers are even higher. More than 90 of recent middle eastern refugees draw food stamps and about 70 receive Free Health Care and cash welfare. Refugee settlement also comes with security risks as we have witnessed with the surge of isis recruitment among, for example, somali refugee communities in minnesota. Anyone claiming to have a serious and honest discussion of Refugee Resettlement must ask the difficult questions about integration, how can we accomplish that. Assimilation, and community safety. This is certainly true with respect to count
Families do not have their checks expire, forcing them to redo many of those screenings, when individual parts of the test expire while theyre waiting for other parts to be completed. And third, keeping families updated about their status. Frequently a large familys resettlement will be delayed because a Single Family member is waiting to be approved. Those are common sense straightforward methods of reforming the screening process so that it takes weeks, not years to reach conclusion. And i think they are doable. They may require more resources. Where the u. S. Congress should be involved. I will be sending a letter within a few days, detailing those proposals. Is large audience here testimony to the importance of this subject. Again, not just because of our standing or image in the world, but our selfimage. Our selfworth, our view of ourselves as a nation. My feeling is that the American People still believe that we are the nation of the statue of liberty. That we have arms open to p
Utter silence. Deafening silence. Perhaps you can understand why israel is not joining you in celebrating this deal. If irans rulers were working to destroy your countries, perhaps you would be less enthusiastic about the deal. If irans terror proxies were firing thousands of rockets at your cities, perhaps youd be more measured in your praise. And if this deal were unleashing a Nuclear Arms Race in your neighborhood, perhaps youd be more reluctant to celebrate. But dont think that everyone is only a danger to israel. Toa run is only a danger israel. Besides its aggression in the middle east and terror around the world, it ran is building building Ballistic Missiles whose sole purpose is to carry nuclear warheads. Remember this. Iran already has missiles that can reach israel, so does intercontinental Ballistic Missiles are not meant for us. They arer you meant for you. For europe. For america. For raining down mass destruction, anytime, anywhere. It is not gentlemen, easy to oppose so