Congress should use the power of the purse to ensure that the refugee program cannot be allowed to act as a “Trojan Horse” threat to national security, according to Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) and 73 of his House colleagues.
In a letter released by Babin’s office Monday and dated November 20, the 74 lawmakers call on House Speaker Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), Majority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) to include language in the omnibus spending bill to defund the Obama administration’s planned resettlement of thousands of Middle Eastern refugees until certain conditions are met.
“There is no duty of the federal government more important than ensuring the protection of the American people,” the lawmakers wrote. “We believe that we would fall short of that duty if Congress fails to exercise greater authority over the Administration’s refugee resettlement program. We see this as an important national security concern.”
The lawmakers’ letter specifically calls on House leadership to include language in the 2016 year-end spending bill that would suspend refugee resettlement from Syria, the Middle East, and North Africa until certain conditions are met and Congress reinstitutes funding with a joint resolution. It further calls for more stringent refugee vetting processes and a longer monitoring time for admitted refugees, as well as continued funding for refugees overseas.
“It is prudent and in the best interest of the American people that language be included in the upcoming FY 2016 appropriations legislation to restore Congressional oversight and authority over the refugee program,” they added.
They further pointed to this month’s Paris attacks as an example of what could happen if the U.S. does not maintain control over the process.
“ISIS has repeatedly declared that they would infiltrate the refugee community that is leaving the Middle East and flooding into Europe,” the lawmakers wrote. “The November 13 attacks in Paris appear to have been a fulfillment of that threat. We cannot allow the refugee program to serve as a Trojan Horse threat to American national security.”
The letter signers included:
1. Rep. Brian Babin
2. Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-LA)
3. Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA)
4. Rep. Diane Black (R-TN)
5. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
6. Rep. Charles Boustany
7. Rep. Dave Brat (R-VA)
8. Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-OK)
9. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL)
10. Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL)
11. Rep. Steve Chabot
12. Rep. Curt Clawson (R-FL)
13. Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY)
14. Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
15. Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-FL)
16. Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN)
17. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC)
18. Rep. John Duncan
19. Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-TX)
20. Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-TN)
21. Rep. John Fleming (R-LA)
22. Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH)
23. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX)
24. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ)
25. Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC)
26. Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA)
27. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI)
28. Rep. Frank Guinta (R-NH)
29. Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS)
30. Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD)
31. Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX)
32. Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA)
33. Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS)
34. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA)
35. Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX)
36. Rep. Walter B. Jones
37. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH)
38. Rep. Trent Kelly
39. Rep. Steve King (R-IA)
40. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL)
41. Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO)
42. Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ)
43. Rep. Mia Love (R-UT)
44. Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)
45. Rep. Kenny Marchant (R-TX)
46. Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC)
47. Rep. John Mica (R-FL)
48. Rep. Jeff Miller (R-FL)
49. Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-SC)
50. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA)
51. Rep. Richard Nugent (R-FL)
52. Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX)
53. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL)
54. Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA)
55. Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-ME)
56. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS)
57. Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL)
58. Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY)
59. Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC)
60. Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN)
61. Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC)
62. Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ)
63. Rep. Mark Sanford (R-SC)
64. Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA)
65. Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL)
66. Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA)
67. Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO)
68. Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN)
69. Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX)
70. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR)
71. Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX)
72. Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL)
73. Rep. Todd Young (R-IN)
74. Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT)
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