John McCain, Marco Rubio among Republicans speaking out on President Trump's travel ban

Christina Gregg

After President Trump signed an executive order suspending the U.S. refugee program and entry from seven Muslim-majority countries, GOP lawmakers are speaking out in criticism of the move.

House Speaker Paul Ryan was among the first to put his support behind the president's order on Friday, and the GOP leader's backing was reiterated on Saturday when his spokeswoman stated of the ban, "This is not a religious test and it is not a ban on people of any religion."

Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell was also mum on any sharp rebuke of the action.

"It's a good idea to tighten the vetting process," McConnell said on ABC's "This Week." "I don't want to criticize them for improving vetting."

Below are the GOP elected officials who have dissenting views from Ryan and McConnell on the ban:

Sen. John McCain and Sen. Lindsey Graham issued a joint statement on the order on Sunday, in which they express that the order was "not properly vetted."

"Such a hasty process risks harmful results. We should not stop green-card holders from returning to the country they call home. We should not stop those who have served as interpreters for our military and diplomats from seeking refuge in the country they risked their lives to help. And we should not turn our backs on those refugees who have been shown through extensive vetting to pose no demonstrable threat to our nation, and who have suffered unspeakable horrors, most of them women and children.

Former GOP presidential candidate John Kasich responded to the order on Sunday, calling the presidential action "ham-handed." The Ohio governor also noted his belief that many in the Middle East are confused by the travel ban, saying, "In probably many Arab capitals today, people are like, 'What is America doing?'"

Gov. Kasich also posted this tweet on Sunday:

RELATED: Scenes from US airports after Trump's travel restriction

Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina also issued a joint statement on the order, saying that while they "generally support additional vetting" for those entering the U.S. from nations of concern in regard to terrorist activity, they have "some unanswered questions and concerns." Specifically, they are seeking clarity on changes to the Visa Waiver program.

"After reviewing the recent Executive Orders, it is clear to us that some of what is being said and reported about the scope and implications of these measures is misleading. However, it is also clear that the manner in which these measures were crafted and implemented have greatly contributed to the confusion, anxiety and uncertainty of the last few days.

We are both committed to doing what we must to keep America safe. We are equally committed to the defense of religious liberty and our tradition of providing refuge to those fleeing persecution. Like so many Americans, we are both guided by our belief that when we stand before our Creator to face judgment, He will say that "to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me."

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine released a statement, saying "religious tests serve no useful purpose in the immigration process and run contrary to our American values."

Rep. Charlie Dent of Pennsylvania simply said of the ban, "this is ridiculous."

"This 90-day ban could imperil the lives of this family and potentially others, and it's unacceptable, and I urge the administration to halt enforcement of this order until a more thoughtful and deliberate policy can be reinstated."

Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona published a statement on Medium on Saturday in response to the order, saying:

President Trump and his administration are right to be concerned about national security, but it's unacceptable when even legal permanent residents are being detained or turned away at airports and ports of entry. Enhancing long term national security requires that we have a clear-eyed view of radical Islamic terrorism without ascribing radical Islamic terrorist views to all Muslims.

Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan tweeted a 9-part thread in response to the order, saying President Trump's action "overreaches and undermines our constitutional system."

Here are a few of those tweets:

RELATED: GOP hopefuls rumored to run in 2020

Advertisement