Sen. Cruz proposes bill to let states block Syrian refugees

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speak about the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the U.S., during their joint news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015. Abbott was in Washington with Cruz to support a... (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

Alex Schuman, Media General Congressional Correspondent – WASHINGTON (MEDIA GENERAL) – Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz announced on Tuesday he will propose a bill that allows Texas Governor Greg Abbott or any governor to ban Syrian refugees from entering their state.

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Twenty one Syrian refugees are expected to arrive in Texas within the week.

"This makes no sense," said Cruz of the plan to allow refugees into the U.S.

"America is a charitable nation, but we cannot charity for some to compromise the safety for all," added Gov. Abbott (R-TX).

Sen. Cruz already submitted a plan to ban refugees coming from countries where ISIS or Al Queda controls territory.

"This is legislation that is targeted directly at the problem," he said.

Sen. Cruz would not rule out trying to hold up a major budget agreement to get his new bill, called the State Refugee Security Act, passed. If the budget agreement doesn't pass by Friday, the government will shut down.

"I will continue to press using the procedural tools that are available to a senator," he said.

President Obama still plans to allow thousands of Syrian refugees into the U.S. after they go undergo background checks that take up to two years to complete.