WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Jared Polis bucked the White House and most of his party Thursday when the Boulder Democrat voted with 242 Republicans and just 47 Democrats to pass a bill that takes aim at security requirements for Iraqis and Syrians seeking refuge in the U.S.
The measure, nicknamed the SAFE Act, would add a new layer of vetting for refugees from those countries, both of which have been terrorized by violence fueled by the Islamic State.
The two other Colorado Democrats in the House — Ed Perlmutter and Diana DeGette — voted against the bill. In a press release, Perlmutter described the current vetting system as “one of the most robust and extensive in the world.”
In an interview, Polis said he understood the administration’s arguments against the bill but was unconvinced.
“I reviewed the bill last night. I met with administration officials this morning, and I wasn’t persuaded that … the security measures in the bill would, in any way, stop us from receiving more refugees,” he said. “If the administration has other ideas (or) better ideas about improving the vetting process, then I look forward to being able to support those as well.”
However, Polis said he also supported Gov. John Hickenlooper, who took fire this week by declaring that Colorado would welcome refugees. “I think the governor is absolutely appropriate, and I applaud him for continuing our proud Colorado tradition of providing a safe place for families that are victims of global violence,” Polis said.
Asked whether he saw a contradiction in these views, Polis said he wanted to merge better security with the admission of more refugees.
“I think we should pair (a policy of) increasing the number of refugees that we allow with more effective and better ways of vetting refugees,” he said.
