Syria refugee bill

Democrats will vote no on Syria refugee bill

By Lauren French and John Bresnahan

Most House Democrats will oppose a GOP bill that would force the Obama administration to adopt stricter requirements for refugees entering the U.S. from Syria.

But Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) could face dozens of defections as rank-and-file Democrats fear the political backlash of looking soft on a high-profile national security issue. Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) warned Democrats during a closed-door meeting on Wednesday that the American public fears a potential "Paris-style attack" in this country.

Republicans leaders had hoped the legislation, which was authored by Rep. Mike McCaul (Texas), chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, and Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina would garner bipartisan support. But Democrats, according to sources, won’t vote for the bill when it comes to the House floor on Thursday.

The Democratic Caucus met Wednesday morning to discuss strategy on the refugee issue. Sources said the Democratic opposition is unlikely to be unanimous but the majority of House Democrats will likely oppose the GOP legislation over concerns that it would damage the refugee program in the long-run.

A senior Democratic leadership aide said, “Their bill would immediately shut down refugee resettlement in the Syria and Iraq region and severely handicap refugee resettlement in the future.”

Democratic leaders like California Rep. Xavier Becerra, the chairman of the Democratic Caucus, and New York Rep. Joe Crowley, the caucus vice chair, on Tuesday signaled support for enforcing stricter requirements on Syrians looking to enter the U.S. as refugees but said there shouldn’t be a halt in vetting individuals.

“Let’s remember: these people are the victims of ISIS. They’re fleeing from ISIS. They are not ISIS. So will we now slam the door in their faces?," Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) said of Syrian refugees during a joint hearing the Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs panels. Engel is the top Democrat on Foreign Affairs.

Democrats were hoping to negotiate an alternative bill with Republicans — though the window of opportunity is closing quickly. Republican leaders are determined to hold a vote on Syrian refugees before the House recesses for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday.

Sources said Democrats have already offered suggestions to Republican leaders but argued that the GOP had not made any significant additions to the McCaul-Hudson bill. There are also discussions of introducing an alternative bill. Republican sources note that Democrats and GOP leaders were in contact to discuss the framework of the bill.

Speaker Paul Ryan and Pelosi spoke by phone Tuesday about the legislation.