Kirk Hits Duckworth Over Syrian Refugees

Incumbent Republican Sen. Mark S. Kirk Tuesday is releasing an ad challenging Illinois Democrat Tammy Duckworth’s commitment to welcoming Syrian refugees into the country without additional government screening.
According to the Kirk campaign, the nascent spot, titled “Trust,” is expected to air statewide for the next three weeks. The ad criticizes Duckworth for voting against the American SAFE Act, the proposal calling for more stringent vetting of immigrants from the Middle East which cleared the House with bipartisan support just before the Thanksgiving break.
Duckworth is the leading Democratic candidate running to take on Kirk next November.
Duckworth attempted to make the case for embracing displaced Muslims Nov. 18 in an editorial penned for the Chicago Tribune. She also explained her reasoning to talk show host Rachel Maddow.
“We should actually be working towards helping the refugees get here because I certainly don’t want a whole other generation of disaffected youth who hates America. And that’s what will happen if we leave these kids in these refugee camps,” she told the MSNBC personality.
In addition to supporting the SAFE Act and urging President Barack Obama to suspend the flow of refugees for the time being, Team Kirk told CQ Roll Call the first-term lawmaker “is drafting his own legislation to enhance the security process.
The Rothenberg & Gonzales Political Report /Roll Call rates the Illinois Senate seat Leans Democrat .
Related:
Vulnerable House Democrats Side with GOP on Refugee Bill
Two Senate Candidates Buck Parties on Syrian Refugees
Could National Security Make 2016 Tougher for Women Candidates?
Roll Call Race Ratings Map: Ratings for Every House and Senate Race in 2016
Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call in your inbox or on your iPhone.