US House votes to keep out Syrian refugees

November 20, 2015 02:29

Republican-dominated US House of Representatives today overwhelmingly voted to bar Syrian and Iraqi refugees from entering the US unless they pass strict background checks in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks, despite a threat by President Barack Obama to veto the bill.

The bill, which seeks to impose more stringent security provisions on already robust screening of Iraqi and Syrian refugees, was voted 289 in favour to 137 opposed.

It's a major setback for the Obama administration, because the US President was opposed to such a move and also because a large block of Democratic lawmakers voted in favour of the bill, which now needs to be passed by the Senate.

Should it pass the upper chamber, the White House has said Obama would veto the bill. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said the bill won't make it to Obama's desk.

"The first duty of our government is to keep the American people safe. If our law enforcement and intelligence community cannot verify that each and every person coming here is not a security threat, then they shouldn't be allowed in," Ryan, who was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, said.

"It's a security test, not a religious test. This reflects our values. This reflects our responsibilities," he said.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

IPL: How Jaiswal got back into the groove

Asked about Royals' preparation, Jaiswal replied: "It's going great right now, and I hope we can continue with the momentum prepare well and keep focusing on the process for upcoming matches."

'Now China Is Afraid'

'Ladakh will be dealt with in Modi's third term.'

Ex-Delhi Cong chief Arvinder Singh Lovely joins BJP

Lovely hailed the BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for giving him and his colleagues the opportunity to join the party when they felt lost.

Check Out Tilak's Sensational Catch!

A look at Tilak Varma's stunning effort on the field

Rohith Vemula's mother meets T'gana CM, seeks 'justice

Reddy assured her that an investigation would be conducted again into the University of Hyderabad student's suicide in 2016 and that justice would be done, an official release said.