Dennis Ross Brings Out Bill Stopping Federal Funds to Bring in Syrian Refugees

U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Fla., part of the Republican leadership as senior deputy majority whip, said on Tuesday he will bring out a bill to ensure federal money won’t be used to bring over refugees from Syria. 

President Barack Obama has called for allowing 10,000 refugees currently in Syria. At least one of the terrorists behind the jihadist attacks in Paris last week came to France under the guise of a Syrian refugee. 

“Today, I will be introducing legislation prohibiting taxpayer dollars from being used to admit Syrian refugees to the United States because Congress must use its power of the purse to stand up to the president’s inactions to protect our country,” Ross announced on Tuesday. “This week, ISIS carried out a series of violent attacks in Paris, and reports have indicated at least one of the terrorists who committed these atrocities entered Europe by posing as a refugee fleeing Syria. These horrific attacks provide a warning of what can happen on American soil if we do not take appropriate and immediate action. ISIS is not contained, as our president has falsely claimed.
 
“Reliable intelligence about refugees from countries like Syria attempting to enter the United States is clearly unavailable,” Ross continued. “In fact, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation James Comey openly acknowledged gaps remain in the screening process for Syrian refugees attempting to enter our nation. Additionally, more than half of our country’s governors have taken immediate action to prevent Syrian refugees from settling in their states.
 
“At a time when the American people are calling on the president to reconsider his ill-advised decision to expand this refugee program, and when our own intelligence community has expressed concerns about our capabilities to identify threats, the president has instead selfishly doubled down on his intentions to admit even more individuals,” Ross said in conclusion. “The federal government has no greater responsibility than keeping Americans safe, especially our commander-in-chief. I will continue to fight to hold this president accountable for putting his personal political agenda ahead of the American people’s safety.”