Congress seeks to allocate over $15 million for FBI to vet Afghan refugees

Congressional Democrats are seeking to allocate $15.23 million in emergency funding in the latest spending bill for the FBI to vet Afghan refugees brought to the U.S. in August 2021 during the chaotic military withdrawal.

The FBI did not clearly state how it plans on utilizing the money, but said the funding "will support ongoing Afghan refugee resettlement investigative efforts under Operation Enduring Welcome," The Washington Times reported Tuesday.

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, the Senate Judiciary Committee's top Republican, said the FBI's funding request showcases the Biden administration's security failures.

"This funding request makes clear though that, contrary to the Biden administration‘s talking points, vetting failures continue to require the increased attention of federal law enforcement at the taxpayer expense of millions of additional dollars," he said.

The spending bill that includes the FBI funding must be passed to allow the government to function into the next fiscal year without risking a shutdown.

The Department of Homeland Security Inspector General found earlier this month that the government failed to properly investigate many of the Afghan refugees brought to America and "dozens" of evacuees with known "derogatory information" were still allowed into the country.