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
You are right.
My guess is, they know they won’t have the votes on the Senate to override, so it’s a safe vote for them.
Hey how ‘bout that? It’s the first substantial thing to come out of the house in years.
Bipartisan.
Aha. Of course.
Ryan schedules the “Never mind, go ahead and screw us, 0bama” vote.
This is the same road we’ve always watched congress go down....same O’ games played.....one vote shy of veto proof. Two republicans no show. Demorats teasing with their feet under the table.....while the Republicans giggle as the quiver goes up their legs....
We can name this tune in one note!!
*Fingers Crossed*
List the 47 Democrats, please. We need to know who are the people protecting this country, not just following OBAMA.
Don't be fooled. Most of the Democrats know this will not get through the Senate (or signed by the president if it does get by the Senate). So this is just a symbolic vote - the Dems get to look tough, but know that the issue will not pass.
You said...
“Now let’s see what the vindictive, narcissistic, graceless, classless, divisive, petulant, and childish President will say / do.”
If past behavior is any indication, he’s about to go ugly on America
Our local liberal Democrat rag came out with a cartoon
depicting an elephant dressed as the Statue of Liberty
basically telling the poor Muslim “immigrants” to keep
out. This is what we have to put up with here. We quit
taking the rag out of Nashville; but these local ones
are die-hard Democrat. Husband enjoys some parts of the
paper; so I hate to take it away from him. But Lawdy!
If I just read that correctly, the Noes from the Republicans were Jones and King (IA).
Good for you, Matt. I'm waiting to see what McPain and Flake have to say about it. Those two are useless.
This is another meaningless show vote for the hicks back home.
In three weeks, Congress will pass another Omnibus Bill that fully funds Obama’s government, including Amnesty, Obamacare and the importation of Muslims.
The Establishment plays us for suckers, and too many people believe they are actually doing something of value.
That depends.. this bill is doa at the president’s desk. Will he pull funding? My money is on no and things will contiune as they are. Ryan will say he tried and maybe shed a tear like bonehead did.
Precisely. It’s like a “censor” in the Senate. Big deal.
I’m sorry, what?
Stricter screening requirements?
How are they going to screen them at all?
Assad has the information on Syrian citizens and he is going to tell Obama to F himself.
Many of those votes are yes simply because they know obama will veto if it gets that far. They want to look like they are on the right side of the issue. When it comes time to override the votes won’t be there.
Has McConnell surrendered yet?
Pray America wakes
Two Wisconsin Democrat representatives voted no; Gwen Moore and Mark Pocan.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.