Posted on 12/08/2015 2:40:10 PM PST by Isara
Ted Cruz Proposes Three-Year Ban on Refugees From Islamic State- and Al Qaeda-Controlled Countries, Refuses to Attack Trump
Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz outlined Tuesday three pieces of legislation he thinks will keep Americans safe from threats by the Islamic State exploiting an influx of Syrian refugees - and dodged every opportunity to attack Donald Trump over GOP front-runner's widely derided plan to ban Muslims from entry to the U.S.
When asked about Trump's statement Monday calling for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States," the Texas senator said that he disagreed with that proposal but that he won't be an "ongoing theater critic" for every comment made by another presidential candidate.
"A lot of our friends here have encouraged me to criticize and attack Donald Trump, I'm not interested in doing so," Cruz said. "But I believe we need a plan that is focused on the direct threat, and the threat we're facing is radical Islamic terrorism."
When asked whether he thinks Trump's call to exclude a people group based on their religion is constitutional, Cruz dodged the question, saying instead that he's focused on his own policies and solutions.
"Certainly in the media there's been no shortage of criticism of Donald Trump," Cruz said. "I do not believe the world needs my voice added to that chorus of critics."
When asked if he would support Trump if he wins the Republican primary, Cruz said that he'd support any Republican nominee - but he hopes to be the nominee himself.
"I recognize that a great many folks in the media would prefer that anyone running for president would engage as an ongoing theater critic, criticizing the proposals of others," he said. "I do not agree with his proposal. I do not think it is the right solution. And the right solution I believe is the legislation that I've introduced."
Earlier in the press conference, Cruz introduced a bill to impose a three-year moratorium on refugees from countries where the Islamic State or Al Qaeda controls a "substantial amount" of territory.
"The reason is simple: We have been told by the FBI they cannot vet these refugees, and our first obligation should be protecting our national security," Cruz said at a news conference Tuesday morning on Capitol Hill.
A second new provision Cruz urged leaders in Congress to "pass immediately" is an opt-out option for state governors to decide not to allow refugees into their states, despite President Barack Obama's executive direction that they do so. Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott joined Cruz at the press conference and said that Cruz's legislation will make it possible for him to protect his state's citizens.
About 30 governors - Democrats and Republicans - have said they don't want to resettle Syrian refugees in their states, Cruz said. "Those officials are doing their jobs. They're honoring their commitments to the men and women who elected them. We need a president who will do the same."
Cruz also touted his Expatriate Terrorist Act, which he introduced last month but was blocked by Democrats on Capitol Hill. The bill would change current law to say that Americans who join forces with terrorists overseas will forfeit their U.S. citizenship.
"We should not be allowing ISIS terrorists to come into America with a U.S. passport and wage jihad against innocent citizens," he said. Cruz called his legislative proposals "reasonable, common-sense steps" to keep Americans safe.
"We know our top obligation is doing everything possible to prevent another terrorist attack, to prevent another San Bernardino attack," he said. "Because as long as the federal government is not doing its job, we know there will be another and another and another."
Good-cop, bad cop.
But our cop.
That’s cool.
They can just go to a nation that ISN’T controlled by them.....where they will obtain the status of “happy no harm to us” Muslims?
You don’t invite millions of able body Germans into your country as refugees while you’re fighting Germans during WW2. That’s crazy
Those who think its okay, must not think we’re at war with Syria. Its just playing at war
Thank You Senator Cruz
There should be a moratorium on ALL immigration until we can fix the mess we’re in.
Did the bill pass?
We're not. We're not at war with a country, we're at war with an ideology. An ideology of aggressively violent opposition against others that crosses many borders. And who practices this ideology? Muslims. Well, you could argue that there are terrorists in northern Ireland and some in Africa that aren't Muslims, but come on, who is the actual threat?
So who do they want to let in? Yup. It's like they either don't think we're at war with militant Islam (they don't) or their okay with innocent people dying as long as they can score some outrage points along the way (they are).
A nothing burger. You are exactly right.
A case of Me Too Ted, with a proposal full of deadly holes, without a shred of beef? Seriously, was this all he offered in the senate today?
What Cruz said and that you point out, is exactly how ISIS barbarians have been navigating throughout Europe!
Look at the hell this policy has brought them. It’s an embarrassment, actually, to the serious Americans who want a full moratorium on ALL countries, until we see loop holes closed, and quit *reacting* but get pro-active.
Nice of Cruz to give ISIS a heads up as to which countries to not sneak in from. That’s why Trump’s hard line makes sense.
Place a ban on Muslims until the Second Coming.
Kick all the ones here out now, along with those from south of our border who didn’t even ring the doorbell.
Well, NO KIDDING!
I believe he should have quit trying to straddle the razor wire on this one, if he can’t be serious with national security. This bright idea is fodder for jokes and punch lines.
Thanks, 30.
Mitch guarantees it never gets out of committee without umpty dozen riders.
Press announcements of “I’m gonna...” seldom pan out the way described and sad to say Cruz is png in the senate.
Here is a story from December 2014 about Syrian refugees coming to the US.
Why is Ted proposing this in December of 2015?
Most everyone on FR could have told him in 2014 that it was not a good idea to take them in.
Terrorists are all throughout the EU so how will this bill make any difference. Just a show to make the unthinking feel something is being done.
Thats a plan
ROFL
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Why is Ted proposing this in December of 2015?
Most everyone on FR could have told him in 2014 that it was not a good idea to take them in.
So why did Trump on Sep. 9th, 2015 say that we have to take in Syrian refugees.
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