Ron Johnson: U.S. At Risk of Islamic Terrorists Entering the Country
Day before holding first hearing on Brussels attacks, Ron discusses border security, legislation to root out terrorists, and importance of NATO
One day before holding the Senate’s first hearing on the Brussels terrorist attacks, Ron Johnson told Wolf Blitzer on CNN’s Situation Room that the U.S. is at risk of terrorists slipping into the country – and cited border security, his legislation to root out terrorists, and NATO as important to keeping Wisconsin communities safe.
Ron is holding the Brussels hearing today in his role as chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. You can watch the interview here, with key excerpts below:
On the risk of terrorists entering the United States through its southern border, which he is working to secure:
“My concern would be the Islamic terrorist operatives moving through Africa into Central or South America and coming up through a completely porous border.”
On measures to keep them terrorists out, which include legislation he passed through Congress to reform our visa waiver program:
“It’s extremely difficult. We’re looking for a needle in a haystack. The problem is there are more needles and the haystack is growing. I’m more concerned about the fact that ISIS continues to exist. They are extremely effective using social media and they use that to radicalize homegrown terrorists here. We saw that obviously in San Bernardino.”
On his legislation to make sure the Obama administration fully vets Syrian refugees:
“… The administration has the authority to bring those people in. My job as chairman of the committee is to hold their feet to the fire. Don’t take any shortcuts. There’s no reason for taking any risk whatsoever.”