The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee dismissed Republican uproar over reports that the Biden administration is considering allowing Gaza refugees into the United States.
Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) criticized Republicans in Congress for making a fuss about that possibility and emphasized that there is a rigorous vetting process in place for refugees.
Asked if he was confident people coming from Gaza would be properly tested, Himes told “Fox News Sunday”: “All I can say is that it doesn’t matter.” Ta. “The only way people can apply for refugee status is if we start a very long vetting process,” the representative said, flatly dismissing concerns expressed by some lawmakers on the other side of the aisle.
“A lot of Republican senators and an overcaffeinated Florida senator may want to sell some terrible fear right now. I would like to request you to come up with one.”
The “overcaffeinated Florida senator” jab was likely aimed at Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who appeared on “Fox News Sunday” before Himes.
Last week, CBS News reported that government officials were considering various ways to bring the small number of Gazans into the United States with their families. This includes people who fled from Palestinian enclaves to Egypt to escape the fighting.
Asked about the report at a press conference last week, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “There is nothing to announce at this time.”
Another White House spokesperson declined to confirm or deny the report when asked by The Post.
The State Department’s Refugee Admissions Program has admitted just 16 Palestinians to the United States since October 1, 2023. According to data as of March 31st.
“As an obligation under international law, we will continue to accept refugees from all over the world, but this is subject to a very robust vetting process,” Himes reiterated.
The screening typically examines factors such as security red flags, medical history, and qualifications.
Those seeking asylum will need to provide evidence that they are fleeing some form of persecution, particularly political persecution.
It may be difficult for Gazans to argue that they are fleeing persecution from Israel, given that the Jewish state is a key ally of the United States in the region.
Last week, Rubio and more than 30 other Republican senators sent a letter to President Biden demanding answers about a potential plan to take in Palestinian refugees.
“Unfortunately, the risk of terrorists infiltrating our homeland is not hypothetical.” they wrote. “We are also concerned that the U.S. refugee program could worsen the tense situation on the Gaza-Egypt border.”
Himes and Rubio, the ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, are both members of Congress’ so-called “Gang of Eight,” which receive high-level classified briefings.
Himes criticized Rubio for portraying Democratic leaders as “extremists” because of the lack of clear lines between abortions, especially late-term abortions.
“I’m not really sure if Marco just drank too much coffee this morning. But, you know, the idea that we’re extremists on this issue is just madness,” Himes replied.
“Democrats are generally where the American people are, which is where the world was before Dobbs’s decision that up to the point of survival the decision was between women and doctors.”
The medical viability of the fetus is usually determined around 24 weeks of pregnancy.
