Tuesday, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) declared Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump’s calls to ban Muslims from entering the Untied States as “not conservatism.”
Ryan said, “Finally, when we voted to pause refugee program a few weeks ago, I made very clear at the time that it would not a religious test, that would be a security test. And that is because freedom of religion — freedom of religion is fundamental constitutional principle. It’s a founding principle of this country.”
“Normally, I do not comment on what’s going on in the presidential election,” he continued. “I will take an exception today. This is not conservatism. What was proposed yesterday is not what this party stands for, and more importantly, it’s not what this country stands for.”
“Not only are there many Muslims serving in our armed forces, dying for this country, there are Muslims serving right here in the house, working every day to uphold and defend the Constitution,” Ryan added. “Some of our best and biggest allies in this struggle and fight against radical Islamic terror are Muslims. The vast, vast, vast, vast majority of whom are peaceful. Who believe in pluralism, freedom, democracy. Individual rights.”
“I told our members this morning to always strive to live up to our highest ideals, to uphold those principles in the constitution on which we swear every two years that we will defend. That’s why we are here, and that is why we’re going to stay here to do the people’s House and do the people’s work.”
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