Lawmaker raises new questions about plans to resettle Syrian refugees

Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) is ratcheting up pressure on the State Department to explain its plan to resettle Syrian refugees in his district, saying their response “lacked sufficient specificity.”

Gowdy wrote Secretary of State John Kerry last month saying he was “deeply concerned about the lack of notice, information, and consultation afforded to me and my constituents” regarding an effort to house refugees in the Spartanburg area and asking for a delay.

The agency, in turn, responded to each of Gowdy’s 17 questions regarding the plan. But the former federal prosecutor is pushing for more details, arguing “it remains my job to get complete answers to the legitimate questions raised.” 

{mosads}The U.S. hopes to resettle around 2,000 Syrian refugees this fiscal year and potentially thousands more in fiscal 2016 under the State Department-led effort. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has the authority to approve the admissions. 

The initiative has raised concerns among Republicans, such as House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (Texas), who fears the Obama administration is creating a “jihadi pipeline” into the U.S.

In his latest letter, Gowdy poses a new set of 14 questions, including asking for the names of people and church representatives who expressed support for the State Department program and whether officials from the governor’s office or the state’s congressional delegation were consulted on the process.

He also asked Kerry for more details about the background checks refugees must undergo to be approved for the program.

“This issue remains important to my constituents, and I will continue to work with you to get answers to all their questions,” Gowdy wrote.