WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday that would make it harder for Syrian and Iraqi refugees to enter the United States.
The vote was 289 to 137, with only 47 Democrats joining the majority.
This comes after the concern worldwide following the deadly attacks in Paris. In the days following the attacks on Nov. 13, several U.S. governors said they would not accept any Syrian refugees in their states. Immigration is primarily handled by the federal government.
The bill is now headed to the Senate where it will likely face a harder time winning approval.
Thus, it could be blocked from reaching President Barack Obama’s desk.
He issued a statement Thursday threatening to veto the legislation because refugees already “undergo the most rigorous and thorough security screening of anyone admitted into the United States.” The House, however, has enough votes to override a presidential veto.
“We cannot and should not wait to act,” House Speaker Paul Ryan said, “not when our national security is at stake.”
The Obama administration announced in September that it was planning to resettle 10,000 Syrian refugees.
The bill would require approval from the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and national intelligence agencies in order for a refugee to enter the country.
“No refugee program in the world is as extensive as what we do in the United States,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., about the existing program that requires several interviews and months of screenings before refugees can travel to the U.S.
Lawmakers also expressed broader concerns about the nation’s visa program that requires less scrutiny for shorter visits.