Over the past seven years, we have seen how this Administration’s foreign policy has made Americans less safe at home and overseas.
The Administration has allowed ISIS to amass a territory comparable to three times the size of Maine. ISIS has a well-stocked arsenal, secures approximately $1 million per day of oil revenues from black market sales, and has been able to commit heinous crimes against humanity freely and largely unchallenged. This is no “JV Team.”
The entire U.S. House of Representatives, Republicans and Democrats, voted unanimously to condemn the atrocities committed and then celebrated by ISIS. Still, Secretary of State John Kerry did not admit ISIS was committing genocide until he was legally required to, a symptom of this Administration’s lack of seriousness in dealing with this radical group.
In addition, the White House’s handling of Syria’s brutal civil war has helped cause mass displacement in the region, directly contributing to millions of refugees entering into Europe and human rights atrocities on a global scale. During a time that demands strong leadership, the White House’s approach to the large scale refugee crisis has only made the situation that much more dire.
The recent news that a refugee from Freeport was radicalized by ISIS and died fighting in the Middle East last year is just the latest reminder that the world is an increasingly dangerous place. However, the President continues to dismiss the rightful concerns of millions of Americans and move forward with a dangerous and inadequate Middle East refugee program. I have long stood firm against this program that does not sufficiently vet individuals coming into our country.
Throughout our nation’s history, the United States has taken a strong leadership role in the fight to secure human rights worldwide. Democracy and universal civil liberty have been the cornerstones of our American way of life and have led us on the path to prosperity. While this Administration has largely let atrocities go unchallenged—specifically in Syria—by mishandling the geopolitical situation, I hope our nation will continue to help those in need, starting at home, to support freedom and fairness and be a stabilizing force.
As your representative in Congress, I will do everything within my power to keep our nation safe. Just this past week, I participated in an extensive, day-long tour of the Northern Border we share with Canada. I met with dozens of state and local law enforcement members and took an aerial tour of portions of Maine’s 611-mile border.
From strengthening our national security to securing our borders against drug traffickers and criminals, protecting our families, communities and way life is one of my top priorities. We must do everything possible to keep Americans safe.