House Republicans are moving swiftly on legislation that would add conditions to President Obama’s plan to resettle 10,000 Syrian refugees in the United States in the wake of the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris, and are pushing for a vote in the next few days.
A GOP task force made up of chairs of six security-related committees met behind closed doors Tuesday with Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and later outlined the basics of a bill the House is expected to vote on this week.
The legislation mirrors a plan sponsored by Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., a GOP aide told the Washington Examiner.
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Specifically, it will prohibit the resettlement of Syrians until the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and the Director of National Intelligence can “certify … that each refugee is not a security threat.” Monthly reporting to Congress will be required.
The bill would also require background investigations into each refugee and for the DHS Inspector General to conduct “a risk-based review” of certifications.
The bill so far stops short of blocking the resettlement plan, but would essentially make it very difficult for the Obama administration to carry it out.
Obama administration officials and FBI Director James Comey told Congress that Syrian refugees could not be thoroughly vetted before coming to the United States.
Still, Obama has insisted on carrying out the resettlement plan, though Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Tuesday he has joined House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., in talking to the White House about making changes to the plan. Senate Democrats have signaled they also want to improve the vetting process for refugees.
The proposal is among several bills introduced by Republicans who want to stop the refugees from coming here.
Ryan said he wants a standalone bill on the floor this week, rather than waiting to put language into the must-pass fiscal 2016 spending bill, which might not be considered until a Dec. 11 deadline.
