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Congress focuses on Islamic State threat from Europe

A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Dec. 7.
People participate in a pro-refugee protest organized by Americans for Refugees and Immigrants in Seattle, Washington November 28, 2015.  REUTERS/Jason Redmond - RTX1WAIZ
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Congress is turning its attention to the terror threat from Europe following last month's deadly Islamic State (IS) attack in Paris.

After efforts to freeze refugee admissions from Syria and Iraq caused a backlash from the Obama administration and the foreign policy establishment, lawmakers in the House and Senate are now revisiting the visa waiver program with 38 mostly European countries. The House is slated to vote Dec. 8 on legislation from Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich., chairwoman of the Homeland Security border security panel, that would suspend uncooperative countries and exclude people who have traveled to Iraq or Syria over the past five years.

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