U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Joins Effort to Block President Trump’s Re-Issued Travel Ban

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After President Donald Trump re-issued his harmful restriction on refugees and immigrants from six Muslim-majority nations in Africa and the Middle East, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin joined a group of 15 Senators, led by Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), in introducing legislation to reverse the executive order and block its implementation. Specifically, the bill would withhold funding to enforce the executive order. The bill also declares the executive order illegal based on the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, which banned discrimination against immigrants on the basis of national origin.

“America has a long history of welcoming refugees and immigrants, which has made our country stronger and speaks to the foundation of who we are as a people. It’s also important to note that the refugee screening process is extremely rigorous and has worked,” said Senator Baldwin. “I understand people’s concerns about the security of our immigration, refugee and foreign traveler systems. That’s why I’ve helped author legislation to strengthen those systems and improve our national security. Unfortunately, President Trump’s blanket ban does the opposite. Even under this revised travel ban, I believe President Trump’s actions will make ISIS stronger, weaken America’s counterterrorism efforts and cost lives while also turning our back on our American values and the rest of the world. America is better than this. We must pass this legislation and block this executive order.”

In addition to Baldwin, original cosponsors of Murphy’s bill include U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tom Carper (D-DE), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).