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 Paul Ryan (R-WI), Majority Leader 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
3. Rep. Lou Barletta
4. Rep. Diane Black
5. Rep. Marsha Blackburn
6. Rep. Charles Boustany
7. Rep. Dave Brat
8. Rep. Jim Bridenstine
9. Rep. Mo Brooks
10. Rep. Bradley Byrne
11. Rep. Steve Chabot
12. Rep. Curt Clawson
13. Rep. Chris Collins
14. Rep. Kevin Cramer
15. Rep. Ron DeSantis
16. Rep. Scott DesJarlais
17. Rep. Jeff Duncan
18. Rep. John Duncan
19. Rep. Blake Farenthold
20. Rep. Stephen Fincher
21. Rep. John Fleming
22. Rep. Bob Gibbs
23. Rep. Louie Gohmert
24. Rep. Paul Gosar
25. Rep. Trey Gowdy
26. Rep. Garret Graves
27. Rep. Glenn Grothman
28. Rep. Frank Guinta
29. Rep. Gregg Harper
30. Rep. Andy Harris
31. Rep. Jeb Hensarling
32. Rep. Jody Hice
33. Rep. Tim Huelskamp
34. Rep. Duncan Hunter
35. Rep. Sam Johnson
36. Rep. Walter B. Jones
37. Rep. Jim Jordan
38. Rep. Trent Kelly
39. Rep. Steve King
40. Rep. Darin LaHood
41. Rep. Doug Lamborn
42. Rep. Leonard Lance
43. Rep. Mia Love
44. Rep. Cynthia Lummis
45. Rep. Kenny Marchant
46. Rep. Mark Meadows
47. Rep. John Mica
48. Rep. Jeff Miller
49. Rep. Mick Mulvaney
50. Rep. Dan Newhouse
51. Rep. Richard Nugent
52. Rep. Pete Olson
53. Rep. Gary Palmer
54. Rep. Scott Perry
55. Rep. Bruce Poliquin
56. Rep. Mike Pompeo
57. Rep. Bill Posey
58. Rep. Tom Reed
59. Rep. Tom Rice
60. Rep. Phil Roe
61. Rep. David Rouzer
62. Rep. Matt Salmon
63. Rep. Mark Sanford
64. Rep. Austin Scott
65. Rep. John Shimkus
66. Rep. Bill Shuster
67. Rep. Jason Smith
68. Rep. Marlin Stutzman
69. Rep. Randy Weber
70. Rep. Bruce Westerman
71. Rep. Roger Williams
72. Rep. Ted Yoho
73. Rep. Todd Young
74. Rep. Ryan Zinke
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