Diaz-Balart Statement on Syrian Refugee Crisis

"The Obama administration's clueless and inept foreign policy is a major contributing factor to why we now face this Syrian refugee crisis. We know that the Islamic State is utilizing the refugee crisis to send radical Islamic jihadists around the world, as we saw with the horrific attacks in Paris. Unfortunately, this administration has demonstrated that it cannot properly screen these refugees. This was confirmed last month when FBI Director Comey said that his agency could run into issues screening incoming refugees if they were not already in the FBI database. Knowing these facts, it is clear that at this time, the Obama administration cannot be trusted to continue this program which jeopardizes our national security.

"In order to help stem this refugee crisis, we must have a strategic plan to deal with Syria, Iraq, and the Islamic State in the Middle East. Through the appropriations process, we have provided financial assistance to these refugees and countries in the affected region, and I still fully support that assistance. At the end of the day, we have to ensure that our most important priority is our national security."