GOP governors say security is paramount in Syrian refugee issue

By Ben Botkin Las Vegas Review-Journal

10 years ago

Moderator Bret Baier, left, host of FOX News‘ Special Report questions , Gov. Rick Scott, Florida, Gov. Susana Martinez, New Mexico, Gov. Larry Hogan, Maryland during a panel discussion titled "2016 and the role of Republican Governors" at Encore on Wednesday, Nov. 18,2015. Around 25 GOP governors are attending the two-day event. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley claps after being introduce during a panel discussion titled "2016 and the role of Republican Governors" at Encore on Wednesday, Nov. 18,2015. Around 25 GOP governors are attending the two-day event. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, enters the ballroom for a panel discussion titled "2016 and the role of Republican Governors" at Encore on Wednesday, Nov. 18,2015. Around 25 GOP governors are attending the two-day event. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

Moderator Bret Baier, left, host of FOX News‘ Special Report during a panel discussion with Gov. Nikki Haley, South Carolina, Gov. Rick Scott, Florida, Gov. Susana Martinez, New Mexico, Gov. Larry Hogan, Maryland and Gov. Doug Ducey, Arizona at Encore on Wednesday, Nov. 18,2015. Around 25 GOP governors are attending the two-day event. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan speaks during a panel discussion titled "2016 and the role of Republican Governors" at Encore on Wednesday, Nov. 18,2015. Around 25 GOP governors are attending the two-day event. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley speaks during a panel discussion titled "2016 and the role of Republican Governors" at Encore on Wednesday, Nov. 18,2015. Around 25 GOP governors are attending the two-day event. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

A video screen projects a panel discussion titled "2016 and the role of Republican Governors" during the Republican Governors Association conference at Encore on Wednesday, Nov. 18,2015. The panelist included Gov. Nikki Haley, South Carolina, Gov. Rick Scott, Florida, Gov. Susana Martinez, New Mexico, Gov. Larry Hogan, Maryland and Gov. Doug Ducey, Arizona. Around 25 GOP governors are attending the two-day event. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-J

Gov. Nikki Haley, South Carolina, (left) Gov. Rick Scott, Florida, Gov. Susana Martinez, New Mexico, Gov. Larry Hogan, Maryland and Gov. Doug Ducey, Arizona during a panel discussion titled "2016 and the role of Republican Governors" at Encore on Wednesday, Nov. 18,2015. Around 25 GOP governors are attending the two-day event. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

Republican Governors Association Chairman Gov. Bill Haslam, left, Tennessee, speaks during a press conference along with RGA Vice Chair Gov. Susana Martinez, New Mexico Gov. Mike Pence, Indiana Gov. Larry Hogan, Maryland and Gov. Nikki Haley, South Carolina at Encore on Wednesday, Nov. 18,2015. . Around 25 GOP governors are attending the two-day RGA conference. Jeff Scheid/ Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @jlscheid

Republican governors gathered for a conference in Las Vegas sharply defended the need to suspend bringing Syrian refugees into the U.S. in the wake of last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris.

The position puts them and Republicans in Congress at odds with President Barack Obama, who has threatened to veto a bill aimed at putting more screening requirements in place for Syrian refugees.

In Nevada, Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval has called on Obama to not send more Syrian refugees to the state until a review is completed that looks at background checks and eligibility procedures.

Five governors at the annual Republican Governors Association conference at the Encore Hotel met with reporters Wednesday: Bill Haslam of Tennessee, Susana Martinez of New Mexico, Mike Pence of Indiana, Larry Hogan of Maryland and Nikki Haley of South Carolina.

The governors stressed their states are welcoming of refugees, but security is paramount.

“This isn’t about saying we’re against the refugee program,” said Haley. “Our problem is we don’t have any information on the refugees coming out of Syria. We have no background to check.”

Pence said that as governor he has “no higher obligation” than the safety and security of his state’s residents. He said he hopes the administration will “join a growing bipartisan chorus” and reconsider its veto threat.

Haslam said governors want to be part of finding a solution.

“We want to be part of the process,” he said. “We do have a history of welcoming people. This is not about Republican governors saying no.”

Martinez said the nation must be safe as well as compassionate.

“This isn’t a game. This is the security of all Americans,” she said. “The reality is there is no one in Syria that is going to give anyone in the United States any information that we can rely on.”

The U.S. has 31 Republican governors and another on the way in Kentucky’s governor-elect Matt Bevin.

The conference, which continues Thursday, is being attended by about 300 people, including 26 GOP governors.

Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904. Find him on Twitter: @BenBotkin1