By Eric Stock
WASHINGTON – The Obama administration has suggested allowing up to 10,000 refugees from Syria. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) believes that proposal is too modest.
Durbin is calling for up to 100,000 refugees to be accepted.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Durbin on WJBC.
“We are a caring, compassionate nation,” Durbin said. “When we are dealing with refugees from around the world we do our part. We can’t take them all. We shouldn’t take them all. We should vet everyone single one of them. But let’s remind the people what our values are in this nation. I think they are good values.”
Durbin told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin the U.S. accepted refugees from other countries affected by war or persecution, such as Cuba, Somalia, and Bosnia, and he wants what he calls a “great American tradition” to continue.
First responders
Durbin had a Capitol Hill meeting on Wednesday with 9-11 first responders and Jon Stewart.
The former Daily Show host has taken up their cause to get treatment for the illnesses the responders have suffered after working at Ground Zero following the terror attacks. Durbin is among a bipartisan group of lawmakers pushing for a permanent extension of the James Zadroga 9-11 Health and Compensation Act.
“The first responders who showed up on 9-11 and stuck around to clean up that pile afterward have come down with serious illnesses that aren’t normal. They are extraordinary,” Durbin said.
The act is set to expire next month.
Veterans affairs
Durbin said the Veterans Administration has to ‘step up’ its game, but he’s willing to give new director Bob McDonald a chance to correct some missteps.
Durbin said the VA has more veterans in need than it came handle, following two wars.
“We have swamped the VA, swamped them with people who need help.” Durbin said, noting that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder wasn’t even recognized as an illness a decade ago.
“Every veteran from every war can come and ask for help, and they have, overwhelming the VA,” Durbin added.
Durbin acknowledged the VA has had some growing pains puts some of the blame on Congress for not giving the agency the resources it needs to do its job.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
Illinois Radio Network contributed to this report.
