Posted on 11/19/2015 1:43:52 PM PST by afraidfortherepublic
The House of Representatives Thursday defied President Obama’s threat of a veto and voted, 289-137, to impose new screening requirements on Syrian and Iraqi refugees trying to enter the United States.
The bill was supported by 47 Democrats. Only two Republicans opposed it. The House plan would bar any refugees from Syria or Iraq from entering the United States until the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and Director of National Intelligence certify that each one is not dangerous.
“If our law enforcement and our intelligence community cannot verify that each and every person is not a security threat, then they shouldn’t be allowed in,†said Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
“The status quo is not acceptable,†said House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas. “The American people want us to act in light of what’s happened.â€
Other lawmakers agreed.
“I cannot sit back and ignore the concerns of my constituents and the American public,†said Rep. Brad Ashford, D-Neb.
“It is against the values of our nation and the values of a free society to give terrorists the opening they are looking for,†said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif.
The bill comes after Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris that killed 129 people. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks. At least one attacker posed as a Syrian refugee, officials have disclosed. These events created new opposition to Obama’s plan to bring 10,000 Syrian refugees to the United States.
Despite its passage, the bill on Thursday lacked enough votes to override a presidential veto. Republican aides said that absences could change that picture if an override vote becomes necessary.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid doesn’t plan to let that happen.
“The problem is not with refugees,†Reid said. “I don’t think we’ll be dealing with it over here.â€
When asked about a presidential veto and a potential override, Reid said, “don’t worry, it won’t get passed. Next question?â€
If the bill is blocked in the Senate, House Republicans may force the issue through an omnibus government spending bill, which has to be passed by Dec. 11 to keep the government operating.
Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz., said he would vote against a spending bill that doesn’t contain provisions halting the refugee program.
“I think that we have to exert maximum leverage,†Salmon said.
h/t: The Hill
Well now that IS(IS/IL) is pursuing chemical weapons, I can’t imagine just letting in a bunch of Syrians randomly. It’s just stupid, unless they want mass casualties and a badly damaged economy. These people are going on welfare anyway, what’s the rush?
Roll call here:
I did not want to insert the whole thing; it is an AP site.
http://www.wral.com/house-roll-call-syrian-refugees/15121191/
Yup. But they already gave him a blank check. The cave in happened before this began. They have one recourse. Impeachment.
They cannot guarrantee anything. That is the point. Checkmate.
We got screwed again!! The propaganda says one thing but the bill gives him the green light!!
Fixed it.
We have never had an open immigration and refugee resettlement process like the past 50 years, it may be too late to recover from the consequences at this point.
“Paul Ryan dosn’t look so foolish now!”
That’s like asking the sun not to set tomorrow
They cannot guarrantee anything. That is the point. Checkmate.
More like green light but nice try. There is nothing in this bill that will stop the Obama. It’s been widely reported this bill is window dressing. Standard beltway GOP CYA.
I can see pumping Paul Ryan is more important to you than the safety of the Americans. Sorry, conservatives are not buying the Ryan Kool-Aid that you are selling.
Same thing he always does... simply ignore the laws and do what he wants to do. Who's going to stop him?
-— If they have to tie it to funding and shut the govt down then do it -—
They didn’t. This is for show. Different speaker, same crap.
Well, it can’t be just us. Insanity is exactly the right word for it. What ever happened to our instinct to survive? This warm fuzzy political correctness is going to kill us all & I’m not sure it’s all that far off.
No, he doesn't, We do!!
Senate will kill the bill.
Either way Ob1 wins.
They haven’t stuck anything to him until it is visibly sticking out his backside, and McConnell ain’t gonna let that happen.
They should have simply called it “The Refugee Vetting Bill”.
Even a (D) senator would have a hard time why he voted no to that...:^)
Exactly! It does nothing but give Congresses ok to continue! We got shafted again!!
Could we have a list of the 43 Dem who voted AGAINST Obama?
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