Senate democrats have blocked a vote Wednesday on the controversial bill that would have restricted U.S. from accepting Syrian and Iraqi refugees. Reportedly, the total of votes to advance the bill came out 55-43, not reaching the 60 votes required.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid however has proposed a compromise. He purportedly offered to allow the bill's actualization if Republicans would agree to denounce Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's proposal to ban all Muslims from entering the U.S. GOP leaders were quick to reject the offer.
"Republican leaders have pledged loyalty to Donald Trump and his disgraceful policies if he's the nominee," Reid stated as per USA Today. "Republicans who support these illogical plans should be prepared for the next logical step, voting on Donald Trump's vision for America."
The bill that was denied had supposedly created a stricter screening program for refugees from Iraq and Syria in light of recent terrorist attacks particularly the Paris incident. It would have required refugees to undergo through U.S. background checks and investigation dealt by the Department of Homeland Security, FBI and CIA, The Guardian reports.
To this President Barack Obama adamantly denied the need for extra certification as he assures that the process and check-ups allowing refugees into the country is sufficient. Furthermore, the White House said that the bill just creates hardships for refugees and does not guarantee meaningful additional security for Americans.
"ISIS is the terrorist organization that poses a threat to the United States - not women, children and families fleeing persecution," Reid said. "We should be focusing all of our efforts on defeating our real enemy."
While President Obama's administration is firm against the bill, 47 democrats have purportedly supported the legislation stating that an extra layer of certification is better than Trump's proposal.
As it is, the "American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act" has been officially rejected. This decision is expected to ignite debate on Trump's Muslim ban that is now being discussed in the Senate.
