In light of the recent threats of terrorism, the U.S. Senate has considered suspending the program allowing refugees from Syria and Iraq into the country.
Propelled by the Islamic State attacks in Paris, Republican lawmakers passed the proposal to the House with 289 votes last November, ABC News reports. That veto-proof margin reportedly included 47 Democrats despite Obama administration's opposition.
The House-passed American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act is rooted in concerns that the current process in screening refugees is inadequate and could purportedly allow terrorists to be admitted in the U.S.
The bill aims to create a stricter screening process by ordering FBI background checks for Syrian and Iraqi refugees. It also requires that the FBI, Homeland Security Department and the director of National Intelligence certify that each refugee is not a security threat. Moreover, the bill's requirements would effectively suspend admissions of Syrian and Iraqi refugees.
Reportedly, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., needs at least six more Democrats to join 54 Republicans to approve a motion clearing the bill for final passage in the 100-member chamber.
On the other hand, Senate's top Democrat, Harry Reid of Nevada, claimed that the bill will not be actualized. The assurance comes from President Barack Obama who has pledged to veto the bill if it gets to him.
The White House disclosed that Obama will indeed veto the House bill. The official statement released in Nov. 18 said that the legislation "would provide no meaningful additional security for the American people."
Furthermore, refugees of all nationalities, including Syrians and Iraqis, are already undergoing demanding screening process, and the legislation's proposal "would unacceptably hamper our efforts to assist some of the most vulnerable people in the world," the statement stated.
The White House said more than 2,100 Syrian refugees have been admitted to the United States since 2001 and not one has been arrested or deported on terrorism-related grounds.
While the fight for this bill continues, it's been noted how this bill plays a significant political issue, as Republicans blame Obama for failing to do the necessary actions for the country's security versus Democrats accusing the GOP for simply wanting to score points from voters.
