Syrian refugee policy

After a majority of governors, including Ohio’s John Kasich, announced their states won’t accept Syrian refugees, House Speaker Paul Ryan called for a pause on the refugee settlement program, and wants the issue put to a vote this week.

About half the Syrian population of 22 million have fled their nation to get away from ISIS, which has claimed responsibility for last Friday’s Paris massacre, a recent attack on Beirut and the Oct. 31 downing of a Russian passenger jet over Egypt. This week, ISIS threatened to target Washington, D.C.

Meanwhile, the president defends his plan to take in at least 10,000 Syrian refugees next year and says it would “be against our values” not to accept them.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry hopes a ceasefire in Syria is weeks away and could end the country’s four-year civil war.

How do you think the U.S. should handle the refugee crisis? Email connie.post@coxinc.com.

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