Members of the Florida congressional delegation reacted to the U.S. Supreme Court supporting President Donald Trump’s travel restrictions this week.
From his perch on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., one of Trump’s closest allies in the delegation, expressed his continued support of the president.
“Today’s Supreme Court decision, upholding President Trump’s travel restrictions, is a tremendous victory — both for the security of the United States and for the rule of law,” Gaetz said after the decision on Tuesday. “Many of the countries on the ‘banned’ list — Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen — are state sponsors of terrorism. Many are in such deep turmoil that it is nearly impossible for them to issue proper identifying documents, making it equally impossible for the United States to properly vet people from these locations.
“Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that temporarily limited entry to the United States from high-risk countries. Activist judges immediately prevented it from going into effect. President Trump issued a second executive order in March 2017, which was once again stopped in court. I was shocked and dismayed that two sets of circuit court judges were willing to put America at risk because of political correctness, and vendettas against President Trump,” Gaetz continued.
“We must do whatever we can to keep our country as safe as possible, and to prevent future terror attacks. This temporary pause in travel and immigration from terror-prone countries gives America the much-needed opportunity to restructure our refugee program, and improve our ability to keep out the people who wish to do us harm. I am strongly opposed to the attempts to label this security precaution a ‘Muslim ban,’ which is a cruel, disingenuous, and incorrect phrase. It is simply a pause, not a permanent ban, from high-risk countries, not against any religious group. I am glad that the Supreme Court upheld the law. Their ruling will help keep America safe,” the Panhandle Republican concluded.
Facing a tough reelection bid in a swing district, U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., called on the White House to end the policy.
“The United States is and has always been a generous nation when it comes to welcoming those who seek refuge and want to contribute to society,” Curbelo said. “We cannot shy away from our responsibility as the greatest nation on Earth to help those in need. While we should demand a strong vetting process and orderly, lawful entry, we must not summarily reject an entire region of the world, and we should never use any religious test. I urge the administration to discontinue this misguided policy and instead take action to continue our tradition of welcoming those who are persecuted.”
Democrats from the Sunshine State lined up against the decision.
“This was not a Muslim issue, this was an American issue,” said U.S. Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla. “Our communities are strengthened by the diversity of our brothers, sisters, and neighbors. We work together, invent and learn together, grow our economy and enrich our society together, raise our children together. We share the same joys and pains in a community we call home. If Muslims can be targeted today, who is next?
“I am shocked that the Supreme Court chose to disregard President Trump’s countless public statements of bigotry and hatred,” Demings added. “While I am disappointed at today’s decision, this is only one instance of a massive campaign throughout this administration to make discrimination the law of the land. It falls once again to Congress to hold this administration accountable. Perhaps my colleagues will find the political courage to stop the administration’s dangerous and reckless anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim policies.”
