The Syrian refugee situation, the Federal Transportation Bill that would cut $50 million from NJ Transit, and legislation to raise awareness about Sudden Cardiac Arrest in young people were among some of the topics covered by 6th District Representative Frank Joseph Pallone, Jr, (D-NJ), during the monthly "Ask the Congressman" show on News Talk Radio 1160 and 1310 WOBM AM with host Tom Mongelli.

Pallone discussed a meeting he recently had with religious leaders in Highland Park who have been involved the resettling of refugees from Syria, and around the World, noting the purpose was to clear up public and media misconceptions.

Pallone pointed out that the U.S. has had a stringent vetting process in place for refugees for at least 20 years, which he believes does not need to change.

President Barack Obama wants to allow about 10,000 refugees over the next few years, according to Pallone. He added over the last five years since the Syrian Civil war began, roughly 2,000 refugees have come to the U.S., but pointed out the process takes about two years.

"There has never been an incident where any of the refugees have been a terrorist or committed any kind of, you know, terrorist-type attack or act, so I think that all the hype if you will that occurred last week when we had this House vote put forth by Speaker [Paul] Ryan and the Republican Leadership in the House , which I did not vote for, which would make it more difficult, if not impossible for a refugee to come to the U.S.," said Pallone.

Pallone said, "I just don't think it's appropriate. We've always been a country that's prided itself on being a place of refuge for people that were either oppressed because of their political beliefs, or their religious beliefs, or their ethnicity."

Pallone also pointed out that last month's terrorists attack in Paris were made by people who were French or Belgium citizens and suggested that instead of looking at refugees from Syria the U.S. might want to look at VISA requirements of people coming from Europe.

"Theoretically, if you're a French or Belgium citizen, you can hop on a plane to come to New York and not even have a VISA, because you can use your passport to just take a place and come here, we don't even require a VISA," said Pallone.

Another hot-button issue in New Jersey has been transportation funding. Pallone pointed out that he's working with the House and Senate to hammer out a deal to keep hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for mass transit infrastructure, such as maintenance and repairs, in New Jersey and six other densely populated states from Massachusetts to the District of Columbia, in tact. A proposed amendment would cut the funding.

"High density states like New Jersey are heavily dependent upon public transit. We have the largest public transit system of any state per portion," Pallone said.

Pallone also discussed legislation he recently introduced aimed at combating Sudden Cardiac Arrest, the leading cause of death on school property. The HEARTS Act would raise awareness and ensure more schools are prepared to deal with cardiac emergencies.

"So that the teachers and parents would know the signs that would lead up to Sudden Cardiac Arrest so they can deal with it and the student doesn't just die," said Pallone. He added, "It tries to encourage states and schools to buy the equipment, like defibrillators, that would be necessary to treat someone if the did get an attack."

He said the legislation was partly spurred by the death of an Edison High School athlete in 2009, adding the Middlesex County Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan (D-NJ) has introduced similar legislation on the state level.

Pallone answered a few calls from supporters of a national "Fair Tax," including a request for a meeting with the Congressman to present him with a credible argument for it. Pallone said he would be open to listening to their point of view, but supports a progressive income tax.

He responded to another caller, "I think when you have a progressive income tax, by necessity, the people that are lower income pay less tax, so I would be very wary you would have to show me quite clearly that lower or middle income working people are going to benefit from the National Sales Tax or Retail Tax. My gut tells me the opposite."

 

 

 

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