http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/syrian-refugees-democrats-paris-216032 Syrian refugees split Democratic Party
Desire for restrictions on refugees has caused blow back on the left.
By Seung Min Kim and Burgess Everett
11/18/15 08:21 PM EST
President Barack Obama’s Syrian refugee program is driving a wedge through the Democratic Party, pitting liberal stalwarts against nervous Senate candidates and some senior lawmakers.
With the White House scrambling to defend its resettlement program and Republicans pressing to “pause” or even eliminate it, liberals were alarmed earlier this week when third-ranking Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York expressed openness to a time-out on resettling Syrian refugees. Meanwhile, Democrats battling in competitive races from Ohio to New Hampshire to Nevada are voicing concerns with the vetting process for refugees fleeing Syria, a nation millions have left since a civil war began four years ago.
New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan, who is challenging Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) in her bid for reelection, urged the federal government to stop accepting Syrian refugees until the process is reviewed. Nevada Senate candidate Catherine Cortez Masto wants U.S. intelligence officials to sign off on the vetting process before admitting more refugees. And former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, aiming to unseat GOP Sen. Rob Portman in Ohio, joined the chorus Tuesday, calling for a “short-term pause” in the resettlement program.
But those responses have triggered strong blowback from liberal Democrats and advocacy groups. They’re exerting tremendous pressure on lawmakers to reject any measure that would further tie the Obama administration’s hands when it comes to accepting more refugees from abroad.
continued
