Rick Scott will refuse 425 Syrian refugees, seek Congressional action to stop federal relocation plans

Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday afternoon his administration will not grant requests to relocate some 425 displaced Syrians inside Florida’s borders, and is asking Congress to help ensure it cannot be coerced to reconsider.

Scott addressed the issue in a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The governor told the Congressional Republican leaders though his state will do what it can to prevent an influx of Syrians into Florida, further action is require by Congress to ensure it does not occur.

“Following the terrorist attacks by ISIS in Paris that killed over 120 people and wounded more than 350, and the news that at least one of the terror attack suspects gained access to France by posing as a Syrian refugee, our state agency will not support the requests we have received,” Scott wrote.

“More importantly, however, it is our understanding that the state does not have the authority to prevent the federal government from funding the relocation of these Syrian refugees to Florida even without state  support,” wrote Scott. “Therefore, we are asking the United States Congress to take immediate and aggressive action” to prevent the implementation of such plans.

Noted legislative conservatives former Senate President Don Gaetz and his son Rep. Matt Gaetz called on Scott earlier on Monday to issue such a call, saying such a move would pose an unprecedented danger.

“We do not believe the federal government is prudent, wise or vigilant in bringing vast numbers of young Syrian males to our country and our state,” wrote the Gaetzes, who represent overlapping districts in Florida’s Panhandle.

“As the federal elected body that exercises oversight and authorizes federal spending,” implored Scott, “please take any action available through the powers of the United States Congress to prevent federal allocations toward the relocation of Syrian refugees without extensive examination into how this would affect our homeland security.”