Wilson Statement President’s Order on Extreme Vetting

Congressman Joe Wilson issued the following statement in response to the President's executive order on extreme vetting:

"I support the President's efforts to secure our borders and keep American families safe from terrorist attacks by pausing the refugee program to provide necessary improvements to the vetting process. I plan to work quickly in Congress and with the Administration to reinforce providing expedited waivers for interpreters that have assisted the U.S. Military.

"I urge everyone to examine the facts behind the executive order:

• Terrorists have pledged to infiltrate the refugee program to kill American families on our soil
• In 2011, the Obama Administration paused the refugee program for six months to address security flaws in our vetting process
• The countries identified were named to the watch list under President Obama for failing to have functioning government agencies which could correctly identify civilians

"Over the past year, I supported bipartisan initiatives to improve our vetting process, and will continue to advance legislation to protect American families."